MLC attempts to win over rival Cong factions

I cannot afford to refuse anyones support, says Naseer Ahmed

Addressing a press meet after taking reporters to cloth factories wholly and partly owned by him, Naseer Ahmed on Tuesday said that despite differences between themselves, Union Minister of State K H Muniyappa and District Congress Committee president Bissegowda, former MLA K S Srinivasa Gowda have declared their support. “Being an election candidate I am constrained to reject anyone’s support. It is unnecessary to discuss the differences between leaders at this point of time. A patch-up effort could be attempted after the elections. I request all voters to cast franchise in my favour, irrespective of political affiliation,” he said.

Publicity-shy

Categorically rejecting the charges of not approaching the electorate during his present tenure, Ahmed said that he has released MLC grants to both the districts - Kolar and Chikkaballapur.

“However I never made any attempt to gain publicity and hence I shoulder the charge of being away from my electorate. I will rectify my mistake in the coming days.”

Disputing the allegations that he has not taken part in any public programmes, Ahmed said that while legislators were answerable only in their constituencies, he, as an MLC had to discharge functions in 11 taluks of both the districts. There is neither designated responsibility of taking part in meetings. “It is not a great thing to gain publicity by erecting hoardings on road sides. But I am averse to such publicity,” he stated.

Ahmed said that as a textile entrepreneur, he has set up factories in Bangalore, Kolar Gold Fields, Bangarpet, Doddaballapur and other places.

The units have given employment to thousands of people. Locations have been identified to set up similar units in Chikkaballapur and Kolar, which will come up  in about five months and thus generate employment, Naseer Ahmed disclosed.