You are forever 'anti-Dalit' and I can prove it: CM Siddaramaiah to BJP

As election season heats up in Karnataka, the tone of accusations between the Congress and the BJP has been getting sharper. In the latest such attacks, CM Siddaramaiah invited a public debate with the BJP, to prove the BJP's 'anti-Dalit' ways  The CM was speaking at a function where SR Patil took charge as the KPCC executive president of the party

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has challenged the BJP to a public debate to prove that Congress has contributed more than the BJP towards the welfare of the state. Speaking after inaugurating the programme in Kudalasangama, where SR Patil took charge as the KPCC executive president of the party, the CM was very vocal in his criticism of BJP and the Central government.

"BS Yeddyurappa had threatened that the BJP would gherao the Vidhan Soudha if the state did not waive farm loans. But when he was the Chief Minister, he did not show any interest in the farmers’ issues nor did he waive loans. The state government has waived farm loans up to Rs 50,000. Will Yeddyurappa, along with all BJP MPs, go up to PM Modi and ask for a loan waiver for the state?" the CM asked. He ridiculed Yeddyurappa for wondering if he (the CM) had the courage to face Modi.

Siddaramaiah also criticised Yeddyurappa for his sudden interest in Dalits. "Why didn’t Yeddyurappa show this concern for Dalits during his tenure? All this is a nothing but drama, BJP is forever anti-Dalit, I am ready to prove it," he said, reported Kannada Prabha.

Speaking on the occasion, KPCC president Dr G Parameshwar said the taking charge programme of SR Patil as the executive president at Kudalasangama is the launch of poll preparation for Congress. He lauded Siddaramaiah’s government for implementing water projects as promised during election and said the present government led by Siddaramaiah has achieved much more than any previous governments.

Clarifying that the Congress and the State government have any prejudices regarding regions and it was Congress government that implemented the Section 371 for Hyderabad Karnataka region.*