Karnataka minister Zameer Ahmad Khan | Photo Credit: BCCL

Bengaluru: A day after Karnataka minister Zameer Ahmad Khan ignited controversy by demanding a high-end Fortuner instead of the sanctioned Innova as his official car, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy refused to react to his minister's VVIP mindset. The chief minister skirted the issue by saying that he is “looking into Zameer's request”.

Newly appointed Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Minister Khan had said the Toyota Innova allotted to him as official car is too small for him. “I have been travelling in big cars since my childhood. I have been sanctioned an Innova. I don't find it comfortable because I have always travelled in vehicles that are big (in height)....Innova is low level,” he had said.

When asked about Khan's Fortuner demand, Kumaraswamy said, “If request comes to me then I will take decision. Every minister require a vehicle...for some comfort.”

Justifying his demand on Friday, Khan said, “Media has made a big issue out of it. I just asked for any Fortuner, I didn't ask for a Mercedes Benz. I asked for a car which is there in the government's provision. Why is the BJP making it such a big issue.”

“The chief minister is a popular figure. If he goes in a private car, people would identify him. But people will identify us only if we travel in a government vehicle. What is wrong in asking for a Fortuner, which is there in the government's provision,” he added.

Khan's demand had drawn criticism from the Opposition BJP, which has accused the minister of indulging in luxury despite Kumaraswamy's austerity drive.