Meeting between Zameer Ahmed Khan and D.K. Suresh raises eyebrows

Amid speculation over a political fallout for former Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan following a viral audio purportedly featuring him, a meeting between him and former MP D.K. Suresh here on Tuesday raised eyebrows.

Meanwhile, Congress leaders from Davangere have sought action against the former Minister.

The two leaders are learnt to have held a closed-door meeting for about an hour leading to speculations. However, sources close to Mr. Ahmed played down the meeting, and said that the two leaders have had similar meetings in the past.

The audio clip that surfaced on Monday purportedly featured Mr. Ahmed speaking to expelled Congress leader Mohammed Siraj from Davangere, discussing ways of “sabotaging” the Davangere South bypoll election chances of Congress nominee Samarth Shamanur, who eventually won.

However, Mr. Ahmed has called the clip fabricated.

Action sought

Meanwhile, Congress leaders from Davangere have written to AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi seeking action against Mr. Ahmed for anti-party activities.

Former Mayor of Davangere K. Chaman Sab and KPCC general secretary D. Basavaraj are the signatories to the letter which has also been been sent to caretaker Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, KPCC president D.K. Shivakumar, AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala and MP Priyanka Gandhi. They have contended that the audio clip had exposed the conspiracy against Congress candidate.

Meanwhile, Mr. Shamanur has said that the clip had revealed a nexus between a few Congress leaders with BJP and SDPI during the bypoll and has urged the party high command to get the audio clip verified.s