Karnataka BJP Claims Siddaramaiah Misuses Caste Census for Political Gain
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Synopsis
The Karnataka BJP accuses Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of exploiting the caste census for political leverage, asserting that his time to resign has arrived. Allegations of delaying its presentation and using it as a political tool are highlighted.
Key Takeaways
- Siddaramaiah accused of using caste census politically.
- BJP calls for his resignation as Chief Minister.
- Concerns over the caste census report being delayed.
- Previous census efforts have been neglected.
- Allegations of manipulating census for political purposes.
Bengaluru, Jan 16 (NationPress) The Karnataka BJP asserted on Thursday that Siddaramaiah is wielding the caste census as a political tool, stating that it is time for him to resign from his position as Chief Minister.
B.Y. Vijayendra, the BJP state chief, commented, “I doubt Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s genuine commitment to executing the caste census. His motives behind implementing the caste census raise significant questions. It has transformed into a political instrument for him. Whenever his political standing is threatened, he swiftly brings the caste census debate to the forefront. No one is demanding the caste census. Siddaramaiah has been postponing the presentation of the caste census report to the Cabinet repeatedly.”
He noted that in 2014, during his first term, Siddaramaiah initiated the Karnataka Socio-economic and Educational Census.
A committee led by H. Kantharaju from the Backward Classes Commission conducted the survey at an expense of approximately Rs 169 crore. Although the report was finalized by 2016, it was subsequently shelved by the following governments. Both the Congress-JD(S) coalition under H.D. Kumaraswamy and the BJP administrations led by B.S. Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai also left the report unaddressed,” he explained.
Further, he mentioned that in 2020, the BJP government appointed Jayaprakash Hegde as the Commission head, yet the report remains undisclosed. Hegde submitted the final document to the Siddaramaiah government on February 29, 2024.
“Both the BJP and JD(S) contend that the report is flawed and was drafted under Siddaramaiah's influence. Leaders from the powerful Vokkaliga and Lingayat communities are demanding a resurvey. There are allegations that the caste census may be manipulated to inflate the state's Muslim population statistics,” he noted.
He further alleged that his sources indicate that Siddaramaiah’s resignation is imminent.
“I have been informed of a covert agreement between Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar within the high command. However, Siddaramaiah is intent on retaining his Chief Minister position and is unwilling to cede the role to Shivakumar or any other party leader,” he alleged.
He also suggested that internal strife among Congress leaders is surfacing. “Amid this turmoil, the citizens are facing hardships due to a lack of development,” he claimed.
He stated that a contractor from Davanagere district took his life, while contractors from KEONICS have addressed a letter to the President requesting mercy killing.
“This illustrates the dire situation in the state. The financial conditions are worsening daily. They struggle to pay government employees' salaries, and contractors committing suicide due to non-payments is unprecedented,” Vijayendra emphasized. “I urge the Chief Minister to take this issue seriously and settle the outstanding bills,” he concluded.
