Kumaraswamy dismisses rumours of Zameer Ahmed Khan joining JD(S)

New Delhi: Union Steel Minister and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Sunday  denied speculation that Karnataka Minorities Welfare Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan is attempting to switch to the JD(S), calling the reports “baseless”.

 “Neither has Zameer Ahmed Khan contacted me, nor am I interested in him. I am not the kind of person who seeks to capitalise on political instability in other parties. I have always believed in value-based politics, " Kumaraswamy told reporters here. 

He added that there is no truth to social media speculation. “He has not approached me. I don’t want to repeat past mistakes by admitting certain leaders,” Kumaraswamy said.

Zameer Ahmed Khan, a former JD(S) leader, is reportedly facing displeasure from the Congress high command over alleged anti-party activities during the recent Davangere South Assembly bypoll. 

There were strong indications that he might be asked to resign from his ministerial post in the Siddaramaiah-led government.

The Congress has already taken action against two other Muslim  leaders — sacking Chief Minister’s Political Secretary Naseer Ahmed and expelling senior leader and MLC Abdul Jabbar from the party’s primary membership for anti party activities.