Supporters of Home Minister and former Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president G. Parameshwara revived the demand for a Dalit Chief Minister in Karnataka by propping up Mr. Parameshwara’s candidature for the post. This comes amid the ongoing leadership tussle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
Addressing a press conference in Mysuru on December 28, Dalit leader Bilikere Raju said Dalit organisations, along with the support of organisations of various other communities, are planning to hold a convention in Mysuru to mobilise support for Mr. Parameshwara, who is a “deserving” candidate for the post.
Mr. Raju said Dalits had not been given their due recognition in AHINDA, though the grouping comprises minorities, backward classes, and Dalits.
The Dalit leader, who also represents the G. Parameshwara Admirers’ Association, placed a condition to attend the proposed AHINDA convention in Mysuru. “We will attend the convention only if it supports Mr. Parameshwara’s candidature for the Chief Minister’s post,” he said.
Regretting that Dalits had so far been used in the AHINDA movement only to secure power for “somebody else”, Mr. Raju said a Dalit Chief Minister for Karnataka has been due for over 25 years.
