Former Lokayukta Justice N Venkatachala has charged that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati was trying to divide the dalits on sub-caste basis.
Inaugurating state-level Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (DSS)-N Murthy faction- office-bearers’ training programme in Bangalore on Wednesday, Mr Venkatachala said that after recent visit to the State, Mayawati handed over the party leadership from dalits belonging to the ‘right’ faction to dalits belonging to the ‘left’ faction.
“It seems, there is 50 lakh votes belonging to the ‘left’ faction of dalits. The reason given by Mayawati to change the leadership is to strengthen the party. But, this is a dangerous development, which will divide the dalits on sub-caste basis,’’ he lamented. “First, politicians exploited the caste system and now, they are dividing the people on sub-caste levels to get votes. Unless the dalits stand united, the entire movement will be divided,’’ he warned.
Former legislator from Chamarajnagar Vatal Nagaraj and Justice Venkatachala had a verbal dual on the dais itself.