CM playing Caste Census card to save his chair: R Ashoka
2 min read
Bengaluru: Opposition Leader in Legislative Assembly R Ashoka criticised the Caste Census as a tactic to protect Chief Minister’s position.
On Wednesday, Ashoka accused the Congress party, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, of using the caste census as a smokescreen to divert attention from state-level scams.
Ashoka, responding to media queries, said it was no surprise that the caste census is being used as a political tool by Siddaramaiah.
He questioned why Siddaramaiah didn’t raise the issue when H D Kumaraswamy was the Chief Minister. Ashoka further added that many Vokkaliga and Lingayat community leaders have expressed concerns about the census being unscientific, claiming that no one visited their homes during the process.
He said the census glorifies certain castes while marginalising others, stirring debate.
The ongoing discussions about a possible change in the Chief Minister’s position were also touched upon by Ashoka.
He pointed out that Belagavi District Minister Minister Satish Jarkiholi is touring districts and holding roadshows, while Home Minister G Parameshwar is making his own efforts to become CM. Ashoka also mentioned Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s warnings to party members speaking against the leadership, which have been largely ignored. According to Ashoka, Siddaramaiah is using the caste census report as a political weapon to overcome these challenges.
Ashoka further alleged that, Siddaramaiah is facing serious charges, including a MUDA site scam investigation by the Lokayukta Police and a probe initiated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). He claimed that the Chief Minister is trying to deflect these investigations by focusing on the caste census.
Several Congress leaders including Shamanur Shivashankarappa, D K Shivakumar and Dr Sudhakar, have raised concerns about the caste census and called for its rejection. At the same time, Congress leaders have criticised the BJP for not conducting a general census along with the caste census.
Ashoka concluded by mocking Congress’ claims of being a champion for reservation, stating that while Congress talks excessively about reservation, it was the BJP that implemented internal reservations for SC communities.
He highlighted the BJP’s success in the Haryana elections as a proof of the party’s effectiveness, while Congress, he said, continues to falter.
-Team Mysoorunews
Mysooru News
