Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, MLA and expelled BJP leader, has alleged that Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan had insulted the national flag by refusing to accept the in-charge ministership of Vijayanagar district and to hoist the flag on Independence Day. Mr. Yatnal demanded that Mr. Khan's legislative membership be cancelled for this. He was speaking to reporters in Vijayapura on Saturday.

“Mr Khan is a religious fundamentalist and a communal-minded leader. I have said this in the past too. Strict action should be taken against him. I urge the Union government to bring an amendment to the Constitution to mandate that leaders who disrespect the national flag be barred from contesting elections for life,” Mr. Yatnal said.