The Congress, which has been in damage-control mode over the statement of former Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan on Vokkaligas, on Monday issued a stern warning and asked him to be careful in the future in making public remarks.
Congress sources said that the warning from All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala came after senior leaders in the party asked for intervention from the AICC as the issue was seen as going beyond control. Party sources said that senior leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, G. Parameshwara and Leader of the Opposition in Legislative Council B.K. Hariprasad were among those who conveyed to the Central leadership that Mr. Khan needs to be reined in and was in the habit of embarrassing the party in recent times. The Adichunchanagiri seer Sri Niramalanandanatha Swami is learnt to have taken exception to Mr. Khan’s statement and spoke to Vokkaligas political leaders cutting across party lines expressing displeasure.
On Monday, Mr. Surjewala in his letter to Mr. Khan said: “Your recent public remarks are completely unwarranted and in poor taste. It is expected from experienced Congress leaders to understand and adhere to the ‘Lakshman Rekha’ of the party’s discipline and ideology. Unwarranted and uncharitable statements help no one except to create avoidable controversies and bitterness.” Further, he said: “Regrettably your inessential public statements have ended up creating unnecessary fault lines.”
