Statewide stir if internal quota not implemented by Aug 1: Karnataka BJP

Bengaluru: Chitradurga BJP MP Govind Karjol on Thursday accused the Siddaramaiah government of deliberately stalling the process of internal reservation for Dalits and indulging in vote-bank gimmickry. 

He warned that if internal reservation was not implemented by August 1, BJP would launch a statewide protest and ‘non-cooperation movement’.

Karjol told reporters that the previous BJP government under Basavaraj Bommai had established a committee led by then minister J C Madhuswamy to frame internal reservation based on population data.

“It must be implemented immediately. If not, we will begin an agitation on August 1,” he said.

Karjol appealed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge to honour their commitment to social justice by implementing internal reservation.

Citing examples of states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Haryana, where internal reservation has already been implemented, he accused the government of failing to act in this regard. 

“This is nothing but vote-bank politics. They are playing with Dalit rights,” he charged.

Karjol expressed reservation about the ongoing survey of SCs. He said the Justice Nagamohan Das committee, which was expected to complete its work in 40 days, had only created confusion.

“There is no credible data. Now, they say another survey is needed. The entire exercise is being used to delay implementation,” he said, referring to media reports on the quality of the survey.

Former union minister A Narayanaswamy, speaking alongside Karjol, echoed the allegations and claimed that the Congress government was conspiring to derail the process.

“There is no credible data. Now they say another survey is needed. The entire exercise is being used to delay implementation."

Govind Karjol, Lok Sabha Member BJP

He claimed that ministers Dr H C Mahadevappa and K H Muniyappa raised concerns during a Cabinet meeting about flaws in the survey in the BBMP area. This, he said, pointed to a deeper strategy to delay justice.