Zameer apologises for taking oath of secrecy in English

Food and Civil Supplies Minister Zameer Ahmed on Saturday apologised to people of Karnataka for taking oath of secrecy in English during the swearing-in of new ministers held on June 6.

He was speaking to the reporters after seeking blessings of Siddaganga seer Shivakumara Swamiji here.

"I am extremely sorry for hurting the sentiments of Kannadigas. My parents admitted me to English medium school. Hence, I am not well versed in Kannada. I did not want to make mistake while taking the oath of office. So, I took it in English," he said.

Replying to a query on the reports about H D Deve Gowda not keen on having Zameer in Kumaraswamy's Cabinet, Zameer Ahmed said, "We are in coalition government There is nothing wrong in taking the suggestions of former prime minister H D Deve Gowda. The JD(S) supremo and Chief Minister Kumaraswamy have not intervened in the allocation of tickets or ministerial berths in the Congress."

Chamarajpet MLA exuded confidence that the confusion surrounding Cabinet expansion would be resolved soon. "M B Patil is hurt for not getting ministership. He will hold talks with the party leadership. Patil himself has said that he would not quit the Congress," Zameer Ahmed said.

"I am a newbie to minister's post. I need a few days to learn the trade. I will give my best to the portfolio/department assigned to me," Zameer Ahmed said.