There seems to be no end to VVIP mindset in the country. Newly-appointed Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan has said that the Toyota Innova allotted to him as official car is too small for him. He has insisted that he be instead given the Toyota Fortuner SUV that was allotted to previous Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Zameer and Siddaramaiah enjoy a close association.

“I am used to travelling in big cars. Since Toyota Innova is small, I have asked for the Fortuner used by Mr Siddaramaiah as CM since it is in a very good condition. I am optimistic of getting it. This is not because I believe it will bring good or bad luck. Power is not permanent, everything cannot be kept lifelong," Zameer said, as per the Deccan Chronicle.

The Congress leader also commented on Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy’s decision to use his personal car for official use, saying the CM is popular and people will easily recognize him no matter which car he travels in.

Zameer, however, added that he has yet to reach that level. “I am visible to people only if I travel in a government car. For this reason, I have asked for the Fortuner,” he said.

Zameer also took pot shots at former minister and Congress MLA Tanveer Sait, who had talked about his popularity. Zameer said he was ready to take the challenge for a popularity check.

“I will go Narasimha Raja Assembly constituency represented by Mr Sait. He can see for himself how many people will come to see me. It will also be a befitting reply to Mr Sait's statement that Mr Zameer and Urban Development Minister UT Khader are not the right leaders to represent the Muslim community in the Cabinet,” the minister told reporters.