Talk on fresh caste census is a ploy to divert from stampede: Wadiyar

Mysuru: The announcement of a fresh caste census, by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, is a ploy to divert from the stampede tragedy during the RCB victory celebration in Bengaluru recently, alleged MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar.

Speaking to media, in Mysuru, on Wednesday, Wadiyar said, “Why should the Karnataka State government conduct a new caste census, at a time when the BJP-led Central government has already announced that caste census will be a part of the general Census, scheduled to begin next year.

"Our government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will conduct the Census in a systematic and scientific manner. On the contrary, it can be noted that the state government has already wasted Rs 165.51 crore, on the Socio-economic and Educational Survey (caste census) by Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes (KSCBC), when H Kantharaj served as its chairman, a decade ago”.

Irresponsibility

“Wasting public funds and time on the survey and now trashing it to propose a new census is the height of foolishness and irresponsibility. The Congress has conspired to cover up the tragic incident where 11 people died during the victory celebrations of the RCB team in the IPL.

Every time a controversy arises, Siddaramaiah uses the caste census report as a weapon. Despite opposition from all sections, terming the Kantharaj Commission report as unscientific and incomplete, Siddaramaiah ensured its leak as a diversion tactic. Now, following his party high command’s instruction, he has decided to conduct a new census,” Wadiyar said.

“The Congress government has neither the credibility nor the ability to conduct caste census. Even after 10 years, it was not able to complete it, while some states have already implemented it,” Wadiyar pointed out.

Wadiyar said, besides, the decision on the fresh caste census was not made in Karnataka. “Why is it decided by Rahul Gandhi and K C Venugopal in Delhi? They might be Congress leaders, but the people of Karnataka have not elected them. There is a suspicion that these two are running the government by remote control,” said Wadiyar.

No guarantee, bankrupt govt

“The Karnataka State government has gone bankrupt. Development works have come to a complete standstill. No development works are executed in Mysuru too. Drinking water projects and the Belagola-Kushalanagar railway project have been stalled. Rs 120 crore is needed for shifting irrigation canals and high-tension electric lines to expand the Mysuru Airport. But, no funds are being released,” the MP noted.