In what must have come as a matter of shock and embarrassment for the Congress, the Karnataka Deputy CM, G Parameshwara has accused the Congress of being anti-Dalit. He alleged that he was denied the post of Chief Minister thrice because he belonged to the Dalit community.
G Parameshwara said, “PK Basavalingappa and KH Ranganath missed the CM post. Mallikarjun Kharge also couldn’t become CM. I missed it thrice. Somehow, I was made the Deputy CM.” The Karnataka Deputy CM further alleged, “Dalits are being discriminated at the government level too. Even though reservation is facilitated, there has been injustice in promotions.” This must have left the Congress red-faced as it has exposed the allegedly anti-Dalit bias of the grand old party.
The fact remains that this statement has put the party in a tight spot. Former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah tried defending the party over this statement. He said that he did not know in what capacity G Parameshwara had made the said remark. Former CM Siddaramaiah who seems to have been irked by the Deputy CM’s statement, said, “It’s the Congress party which is taking care of Dalits and other neglected sections of society. I don’t know in what context he made a statement like that. It’s better you ask him.” It is clear that Congress does not have a cogent justification to offer in its defence. The grand old party has been exposed by one of the senior leaders and cluelessness as to the capacity in which the said remark was made is nothing more than a lame excuse.
Parameshwara made the abovesaid remark while addressing a gathering of the Chalavadi community. Chalavadi community is a Scheduled Caste community. It has a considerable presence in Belagavi, Hubballi-Dharwad, Vijayapura and Bidar districts. Therefore, the Deputy CM’s statement becomes much more horrifying for the party.
BJP was quick to mount an attack on the Congress over Parameshwara’s remark. Party leader M Nagraj said, “People of this country know that Congress is always pro-Nehru family. It is not in favour of Dalits. Whatever Parameshwara said is a late realisation. Congress is anti-Dalit and anti-OBC. Congress is pseudo-secular.” Karnataka BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa stated that he would attend an all Dalit’s meeting. Coming down heavily at the Congress, he said, “Dalits are not happy with the Congress party. They are cheated in Karnataka.”
Parameshwara’s remarks have come at a time and place, which would have multiplied the grand old party’s worries. The Lok Sabha polls are around the corner and the state Deputy CM made this remark while addressing the Chalavadi community which is a Scheduled Caste community. The consequences of this accusation might be felt within the state of Karnataka during the parliamentary elections in a few months.
