Karnataka power tussle intensifies: Parameshwara's supporters protest outside Congress HQ, demanding Dalit CM

New Delhi: Around a dozen people on Saturday staged a demonstration in front of Congress headquarters here demanding that a Dalit be appointed as Karnataka Chief Minister.

The protest by Baba Saheb Ambedkar Dalitha Seva Samithi was held when the Congress Working Committee was meeting at Indira Bhavan here. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was present at the meeting.

The banner held by the protesters had an image of Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara, a Dalit and former Deputy Chief Minister, as well as that of VCK leader and MP Thol Thirumavalavan, also a Dalit. They were demanding Parameshwara to be given the post.

The protest comes at a time Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's camp has raised the demand for a leadership change.

Separately, members of the Dalit Leaders’ Collective, who claim to be part of the Congress, said there were several Dalit Congress leaders but none of them could become Chief Minister.

They demanded that deserving leaders like Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, KH Muniyappa, G Parameshwara, HC Mahadevappa and Satish Jarkiholi be considered for the post of Chief Minister. All of those mentioned are not Dalits.