Bengaluru, Aug 14 : Karnataka Housing Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan has sought exemption from hoisting the national flag at the Independence Day celebrations in Vijayanagara district on August 15, citing his inability to attend the programme, triggering criticism from the Opposition BJP on Friday. The BJP has urged the Chief Minister to dismiss him from the cabinet for ignoring a sacred duty such as hoisting the Tricolour.

Zameer, in a letter to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, said he had been assigned the responsibility of hoisting the national flag in Vijayanagara district in North Karnataka on the occasion of Independence Day. However, he said the upcoming Bengaluru civic polls, other local body elections, Assembly bypolls and party organisational responsibilities had left him with limited time.

He also requested the Chief Minister not to assign him the responsibility of District In-charge Minister for Vijayanagara or any other district.

"In the state, in the coming days, including Bengaluru civic polls, various local body elections, bypolls of Assembly segments and also in view of organisation of the party, there is shortage of time to take on the responsibility of district in-charge minister of Vijayanagara district," Zameer said in the letter.

He further said that he had been assigned the responsibility of hoisting the national flag on August 15 but was unable to attend the programme and therefore sought exemption from the duty.

Zameer also referred to the drought situation in Vijayanagara district, stating that he had already submitted the report assigned to him in this regard.

The request comes just two days after portfolios were allocated to ministers in the Karnataka government following the recent Cabinet expansion.

Reacting sharply to the development, senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly R. Ashoka accused the Congress government of putting party politics ahead of national interests.

"Congress shamelessly puts party politics above the nation," Ashoka said in a statement on Friday.

He alleged that Zameer's decision to seek exemption from hoisting the Tricolour showed "total disrespect" for the country and criticised the minister for citing election-related and party organisational responsibilities as the reason for being unable to attend the Independence Day programme.

Ashoka said hoisting the national flag on Independence Day was a "sacred duty" and accused Zameer and the Congress government of giving greater importance to electoral calculations and party activities.

He also demanded that CM Shivakumar dismiss Zameer from the Cabinet, alleging that the minister's decision had brought "shame" upon the state and disrespected the national flag.

The BJP leader further targeted the Congress leadership, including Rahul Gandhi, and demanded an apology over the issue.

The controversy comes as Karnataka gears up for Independence Day celebrations across the state on August 15.

/IANS