Accusing the government in Karnataka of trying to divert public attention from the alleged scam in MUDA by bringing the caste census to the forefront, Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy challenged the Congress to seek a fresh mandate to implement the report in the State.
Speaking to mediapersons in Bengaluru on October 7, Mr. Kumaraswamy described the statements being made by Congress leaders seeking implementation of caste census report as a ‘drama’ to divert attention from the probe against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over alleged irregularities in allotment of sites by MUDA to his wife. “It is also an attempt to cover up the anguish among people about lack of infrastructure development,” he alleged.
Pointing out that the Kantharaju Commission had been formed 10 years ago to prepare the caste census report, Mr. Kumaraswamy argued that the caste census had become old, and several new developments had taken place ever since the census was conducted. He questioned the government for not releasing the census report earlier.
Referring to the allegations by the Congress that he had not allowed them to release the caste census report when he was the CM of the JD(S)-Congress coalition government, Mr. Kumaraswamy questioned the present Congress government for not releasing the report in the last one year, especially before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
“The report will not benefit any community as it is too old. It is being highlighted only to suppress the alleged MUDA scam,” he said.
Referring to senior Congress leader B. K. Hariprasad saying that the report should be implemented even if it meant losing the government, Mr. Kumaraswamy said, “Instead, the Congress government should dissolve the Assembly and go for fresh polls on the issue of caste census if their concern is genuine.”
Published - October 07, 2024 03:45 pm IST
