Dalit CM issue resurfaces

The demand for a Dalit Chief Minister got shriller during the visit of Congress leader Mallikarjuna Kharge, in the city, on Sunday.

The Dalits, residents of Ashokapuram, demanded Kharge to promise them of making a Dalit as the next CM of the state. Kharge was campaigning for Krishnaraja Congress candidate M K Somashekar.

Kharge was garlanding the statue of B R Ambedkar at a park, when Dalits raised slogans saying, Kharge as the next chief minister. Kharge said, “There is no use if you shout now.”

During the roadshow by Kharge, an autorickshaw driver Anandmurthy and others alleged, Siddaramaiah is a casteist and has failed to protect the interets of Dalits. “We will vote for the Congress only if the party announces Kharge as next CM,” they said.

However, Kharge assured them saying, the party high command will decide on the next CM.

“I am working for the party since five decades. The party will take a decision,” Kharge said.

When a resident said that he will support the BJP, Kharge said, the present election is based on two ideologies — BJP and Congress. The people must make a prudent choice while casting their vote. “There is a need for an agitation to protect Indian Constitution drafted by Ambedkar. Keep this in mind before you vote,” Kharge said.