In an in depth submit on X, Siddaramaiah mentioned he was “not stunned” by Kumaraswamy’s criticism of his current newspaper article and dismissed allegations that he had invoked caste politics for political achieve. “I take his accusation that I dragged caste into the talk for the sake of the chair with a pinch of humour,” the Chief Minister mentioned.
He alleged that whereas the JD(S) management projected itself as anti-caste in rhetoric, its politics revolved round household loyalty. In keeping with him, the Gowda household had handled caste largely as a vote financial institution whereas sidelining different leaders inside the social gathering, together with these from the identical group. Siddaramaiah claimed that management inside the JD(S) had remained concentrated inside the Deve Gowda household throughout generations.
Questioning the social gathering’s document, Siddaramaiah requested what number of Vokkaliga leaders had been politically nurtured by Deve Gowda throughout his lengthy profession, itemizing a number of former leaders who finally left the social gathering. Their exits, he mentioned, mirrored a scarcity of alternatives past the household management construction.
The Chief Minister asserted that the Congress social gathering had traditionally performed a decisive function in selling Vokkaliga management in Karnataka. Leaders comparable to Kengal Hanumanthayya, Kadidal Manjappa and S.M. Krishna turned Chief Ministers below the Congress banner, he famous, including that the social gathering had persistently created house for rising leaders from the group.
He pointed to senior Congress leaders, together with D.Okay. Shivakumar, T.B. Jayachandra, Kimmane Ratnakar, M. Krishnappa and Krishna Byre Gowda, as examples of constant Vokkaliga illustration inside the social gathering. “If anybody outdoors the Deve Gowda household turns into Chief Minister sooner or later, will probably be by way of the Congress social gathering,” Siddaramaiah mentioned.
Emphasising Congress’ dedication to social justice, the Chief Minister mentioned the social gathering had enabled leaders from Vokkaliga, Lingayat and backward class communities to occupy the State’s prime submit. He added that his personal tenure as Chief Minister mirrored the social gathering’s inclusive method and expressed gratitude to Congress management for the chance.Siddaramaiah additionally mentioned the Congress remained the one social gathering able to enabling management alternatives for Dalit communities primarily based on benefit and political progress.
Reiterating that social justice had been central to his four-decade political profession, he mentioned he was prepared for a public debate on caste and illustration, urging critics to introspect earlier than accusing him of practising caste politics.
