Entitlement for VVIP treatment is not new for politicians in India who are used to having their way. Karnataka Minister and Congress leader B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan felt that an Innova car, which was allotted to him, is ‘low level’ and since has travelled in big cars since childhood, he should be given a Fortuner for official use.
Khan said that since he is ‘used to a big car’, and in order to be ‘visible’ to people he demanded the Fortuner which was provided to former chief minister Siddaramaiah. Siddaramaiah had reportedly got this Fortuner after a crow sat on his previous Fortuner, though reports suggest the reason was a technical snag. Commenting on Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy’s decision to use his personal car for official use, Khan said since Kumaraswamy is ‘popular’ people will easily recognise him in whichever car he uses. But since he is yet to reach that level, he will be ‘visible’ to people only if he is travelling in a government car. Hence he asked for a Fortuner.
While this demand was criticized by the BJP, Congress defended Khan by saying there is nothing wrong if a minister requests a particular car. Saying media highlights unimportant issues Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain asked if a minister is uncomfortable in one car, why can’t he request another one.
