JOIN USKPCC president G Parameshwara said on Sunday that injustice had been meted out to dalits in the State, by depriving the posts of chief minister and deputy chief minister to leaders belonging to the community.
“Whether it was Basavalingappa or K H Ranganath or Mallikarjuna Kharge, the community leaders were prevented from becoming at least the deputy chief minister, let lone the chief minister. Are we not capable of occupying these posts?” he said, addressing a convention organised by Chalavadi (SC right) Mahasabha.
Parameshwara has been nurturing the ambition of becoming deputy chief minister ever since the Congress came to power in the State. He was, in fact, one of the strong contenders for the post of chief minister, but he lost the Assembly elections held in 2013.He said that the government headed by Siddaramaiah too has not provided justice to the community.
Though a budget of close to Rs 1.5 lakh crore has been presented, the community will not benefit much. The community people are upset about it, he said, adding that he will speak to the chief minister to set things right. Former IAS officer and president of the State Chalavadi Mahasabha K Shivaram alleged that Parameshwara’s defeat in the polls was a conspiracy aimed at preventing him from becoming the chief minister.
At the other end, Siddaramaiah, addressing a convention organised by the Yadava community, said the government will take steps to organise Krishna Jayanti in the State. The government will also explore the possibility of declaring a holiday on Krishna Jayanti, he said.