Daijiworld Media Network - Chitradurga (MS)

Chitradurga, Jul 25: The war of words between the Congress and BJP over having a chief minister from the Dalit community continued on Saturday July 24 with state BJP president Nalin Kumar Kateel challenging the Congress leader and former chief minister Siddaramaiah to announce Mallikarjuna Kharge's name for the CM's post ahead of the next assembly elections.

"Siddaramaiah was the chief minister of Karnataka for five years. If he has guts and is concerned about Dalits, let him announce Mallikarjuna Kharge as the chief ministerial candidate for the next assembly elections," Nalin Kumar Kateel said.

Nalin took Congress to task during the BJP executive meeting that was held in the city on Saturday. "D K Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah are already playing musical chairs for the position of chief minister. Siddaramaiah is hatching conspiracy to finish the career of D K Shivakumar. Siddaramaiah should stop conspiring against him," he said.

"Siddaramaiah changed his constituency from Chamundeshwari to Badami. Now he is on the verge of giving up Badami also. He should give up his dream of becoming chief minister again," he added.

"Siddaramaiah became chief minister as soon as he joined the Congress party. He does not have the time to learn the history of Congress. He is a good leader but I will tell you the reports that appeared in the newspapers. In 2006, Dr G Parameshwar was the KPCC president. Siddaramaiah took the support of people of his own caste and defeated Parameshwar and became the chief minister. He did not even give deputy chief ministerial post to Parameshwar. Siddaramaiah has defeated many Dalit leaders including Mallikarjuna Kharge, Muniyappa, Chandrappa and Dhruvanarayana. In addition, the house of Siddaramaiah’s disciple and MLA Akhanda Srinivas was set on fire. Till now justice has not been done to Akhanda Srinivas.

"Congress insulted the sculptor of Indian constitution Dr B R Ambedkar more than any other political party. Ambedkar had walked out of the first cabinet meeting after he was insulted. When Ambedkar contested for Lok Sabha, Congress got him defeated. When Ambedkar contested for the second time, Congress nominated his personal assistant as their candidate and got him defeated.

"Congress did not even provide land to carry our Ambedkar’s final rites. It did not even given Bharat Ratna award to Dr Ambedkar. But BJP gave him the award. Congress did not even make the great Dalit leader Babu Jagajeevan Ram as the PM.

"In the limited period of power attained by BJP it has made Dr A P J Abdul Kalam of Muslim community and Ramanath Kovind of Dalit community as the Presidents of India. Dalit leader Govinda Karjol has been made deputy chief minister in Karnataka. Another Dalit Narayanaswamy, who got defeated in Anekal has been made MP of Chitradurga by BJP and he is a current minister in the union cabinet. In Congress, Dalit leaders have to take rounds of the residence of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi. But in BJP, the PM himself calls and gives them ministerial positions," Nalin said.

"The Siddaramaiah government was involved in unprecedented corruption in Karnataka. Arkavathy case was closed without investigation.

"Due to the developments done by chief minister Yediyurappa in the state, BJP will come to power again in the next assembly elections. Chief minister Yediyurappa has achieved a lot in the past two years in the midst of Covid pandemic and flood calamity. I congratulate him on wiping off the tears of the people of Karnataka. Our state is in the third position among the states that have implemented the schemes of central government led by PM Modi in a proper manner. Yediyurappa is victorious in matters of Mekedatu and Mahadayi. We are ready to issue white paper with regard to the achievements of BJP in the past two years of its reign. Will Congress do the same on its five years of governance in the state?" Nalin questioned.

Commenting on the audio clip that went viral in which he is allegedly discussing leadership change in the state, Nalin said, "Fake audio case in my name is going on. In our party there is no word like migrants or Mithra Mandali. All have become MLAs after obtaining ticket from BJP.

"Chief minister Yediyurappa has clarified that he will follow the instructions of national BJP leaders with regard to the change of chief minister in the state. He has already engaged in surveying the flood situation in Belagavi. The national leaders will take decision on leadership change in the state," Nalin said.