From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Hospete, Oct 12: In a bid to reach out to the Dalits, particularly after the gruesome incident of 14 labourers belonging to Dalit community working in a coffee plantation reportedly belonging to a BJP supporter in Chikkamagaluru district were tortured for several days came to light, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai along with his predecessor B S Yediyurappa on day two of their Janaspandana Yatra that was kicked off from Raichuru on Tuesday, took time to have breakfast in a residence of a Dalit family in Ambedkar Nagar of Kamalapura village on Wednesday morning.
The Dalit family of Hirala Kollarappa prepared a lavish spread of Kesaribath, Mandakki Voggarane, Mirchi and Uppittu. Bommai and Yediyurappa, the two Lingayat leaders, along with Water Resources Minister Govind M Karjol, who himself is a Dalit, and Tourism Minister Anand Singh, and MLA Raju Gowda enjoyed the breakfast and tea.
The food for the breakfast was prepared by Kollarappa’s daughters Huligemma and Reunka with grand-daughter Ashwini Tadkar, who is studying in the Government Engineering College, helping in the kitchen.
Engaging Kolarappa’s family in conversation, the Chief Minister enquired with Ashwini regarding her education and the college atmosphere. When the girl replied that the college it was fine but the mess bill was exorbitant, Bommai promised to address it. After having breakfast and tea, the VVIP entourage left for the function.
The visit of the Chief Minister and Yediyurappa along with ministers and legislators to a Dalit family’s residence and partaking the breakfast prepared by the family is seen as an attempt by the ruling BJP to reach out and woo the Dalit community. Bommai government is already busy taking credit for the recent decision taken at the State Cabinet to increase the reservation quota to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes community with full advertisements in newspapers over the ‘historic’ decision, which however is yet to become a reality as it has to overcome several legal hurdles and the 50% limit set by the Supreme Court for reservation.
Govt will act in accordance with Constitution
Later, addressing a Janasankalpa rally, the Chief Minister said the BJP’s core ideology is for the ‘emancipation of the last and least of the persons in society’.
Speaking to media persons at Hospete, Bommai said the former Prime Minister Atal Behari government took the first decision of extending the reservation for SCs and STs and the Deendayal Upadhyaya has launched the Antyodaya programme.
Bommai said the decision to increase the reservation to SCs and STs is a historic move. “Such a decision could not be taken in the last 50 years. We will consult legal experts to ensure that the decision is implemented and brought in accordance with the Constitution,’’ he said.
Asked about BJP MLA Aravind Bellad’s demand that religion-based reservation must be reduced, the Chief Minister said: “Whatever we do, it will be in accordance with the Constitution. Several people come out with different viewpoints. But any decision must be based on reports, facts and figures and in keeping with ideology,’’ he said the decision on increasing the quota for SCs and STs was taken on the basis of the Justice Nagamohan Das Committee report.
Rahul is on Bharat Thodo Yatra
The Chief Minister dubbed former Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra as ‘Bharat Thodo Yatra’ and said the BJP’s Janasankalpa Yatra has nothing to do with the Congress yatra.
“We had made preparations to carry out the Janasankalpa Yatra one and half month ago. But it was postponed due to rains. Our yatra is a pre-planned programme,’’ he said.
Bommai attacked Congress opposition leader in the assembly Siddaramaiah and MLA Priyank Kharge for their statements on the decision on increasing the reservation and said the Congress party could not take such a decision in the last 50 tears. The Siddaramaiah government had formed a committee on increasing the reservation to SCs and STs, but could not implement the committee’s report, he said.
The Chief Minister asserted that the BJP government is committed to implement the decision and has the determination and will power to do so.
Bommai claimed that the Janasankalpa Yatra has received unprecedented welcome and support from the people from Day 1 in Raichuru. “The yatra will cover the entire State and visit all assembly constituencies. We will enlighten the people on the government’s pro-people welfare measures and seek their support and blessings,’’ he said and asserted that the BJP will emerge triumphant in the 2023 assembly polls.