Last Updated: September 10, 2023, 10:50 IST
Senior Congress leader BK Hariprasad (L). Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah (R). (Images: X/PTI)
During the meeting at the Palace grounds, many seers from various backward communities attacked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for allegedly trying to sideline their leader, BK Hariprasad
In what is seen as the battle between two influential backward leaders, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and BK Hariprasad, the latter — a senior leader — organized a meeting with the Billava-Ediga and Namadhari community seers and his supporters in Bengaluru. It was also seen as a show of strength after being denied a ministerial berth in the Siddaramaiah’s administration.
During the meeting at the Palace grounds, many seers from various backward communities attacked the Congress’s high command and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for allegedly trying to sideline their leader, BK Hariprasad. They also lashed out at Siddaramaiah for gardening votes on the name of AHINDA while not providing their due in the bureaucracy or ministry. However, they account for about 35% of the electorate in the state.
Pranavannda Swami of Brahmashree Narayana Guru Shakti Peetha said, “What have you done to the backward communities? At this stage, there are various seers of the backward communities. What have you given to these communities? Ellidiga, Billava, and Namdhari have never begged. These communities have given a lot to the political parties. But the leaders from these communities are getting sidelined and there is a conspiracy against the community leaders today”.
Meanwhile, the Congress senior leader BK Hariprasad once again took a dig at CM Siddaramaiah and said he can’t be called a socialist as the backward communities were ignored completely after the victory of the party in the assembly polls earlier this year.
“In the name of social struggle Kagodu Thimmappa never had any fun. Even today he doesn’t have a proper car. Someone today who uses a Hublot watch wears a Dhoti and Khaki shorts inside, can’t call himself a socialist. If you say socialist, then there should be equality for all”, Hariprasad said.
He also accused the congress leadership of neglecting Dalit leaders in the state by denying the CM post to Dr G Parameshwara, the present Home Minister of Karnataka.
“Forget about making a Dalit the CM, they have been demoted. In Karnataka, Dr G Parameshwara served the most prolonged period as the KPCC chief. He was a deputy CM earlier also, he had all the qualities to become the CM, but it is shameful that he has been demoted. He should have been allowed to continue as the Deputy CM. Even, Satish Jarkiholi could have been made the Deputy CSM, but such thoughts never crossed their mind after the polls,” Hariprasad added.
Former AICC general secretary and MLC BK Hariprasad is miffed against the congress leadership and has especially been seen allegedly blaming Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for keeping him out of the cabinet after the assembly election. Earlier in July, BK Hariprasad also attacked CM and said he knew how to bring him down from the CM post as he had worked in the various states to bring the congress party into power and play a vital role in the CM face decision.
