BSP minister in HDK govt slams Cong, JD(S)

The lone BSP minister in the state N Mahesh, on Thursday, hit out at the ruling coalition partners, Congress and JD(S), saying their existence was based on caste system and inequality.

Mahesh, who holds the primary and secondary education portfolio, held the Congress, BJP and JD(S) responsible for economic and social inequality in the country and projected BSP as the champion for the cause of the oppressed.

“I’m saying this openly, whether it is Congress or BJP or JD(S), their workers will not understand the ideology that I’m speaking about.”

“They don’t need it, because until there is this caste system and inequality - Congress, BJP and JD(S) - will continue to exist,” Mahesh said.

Addressing a BSP event in Chamarajanagar, he said, “The day the caste system and inequality are eradicated, that day Bahujan Samaj Party, the party of Basavanna (12th century social reformer), will come to power.” The BSP had contested the May Assembly polls in alliance with the JD(S).

Mahesh represents Kollegal constituency in Chamarajanagar district in the Assembly.

If the Congress party had the “true intention” to eradicate social and economic inequality, by now, everyone would have lived with equality, Mahesh said.

“As they did not do it, today BSP has come into existence,” he said.

He accused BJP too of not doing enough to get rid of social and economic inequality.

“Many smaller parties like Samajwadi party, Janata Dal and other regional parties also could not ensure social and economic equality,” he added.

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy declined to comment on Mahesh’s statement.

“I am not aware what the minister has spoken. I will be able to comment after obtaining the information,” he said.