Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Apr 11: The Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka, launched a sharp attack on the Congress government on Friday, alleging that the caste census report being circulated by the Siddaramaiah administration was unscientific and politically motivated, aimed at sowing discord among communities.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Ashoka said, “The caste census report being considered by the cabinet is nothing more than a politically driven document. The survey teams did not visit every household. This entire report was prepared under the instructions of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to serve specific political interests.”
Claiming that the data lacked credibility, Ashoka asserted, “Though I agree a caste census is necessary, this particular report is designed to benefit select individuals by dividing society. That is the real agenda of the Congress.”
Ashoka also levelled serious corruption allegations against the ruling government, accusing them of operating a commission-based system across departments. “Contractors are not getting their dues unless they pay bribes. Congress leaders themselves have disclosed how much money is being looted in each department. In the Excise Department, the minister’s son is at the center of a loot,” he claimed.
"CM Siddaramaiah is busy defending tainted ministers, instead of acting. Congress should openly admit that corruption is their family tradition. The CM collects commissions to stay in power, Dy CM D K Shivakumar collects them in the hope of becoming CM, and ministers are running collection centers in Vidhana Soudha. Meanwhile, the people of Karnataka are burdened with Rs 80,000 cr in new taxes," he alleged.
Ashoka extended BJP’s support to the JD(S)’s ongoing protests, indicating closer cooperation between the two parties. “We support JD(S)'s fight and will soon discuss with union minister H D Kumaraswamy whether to protest jointly or separately. Our bond is strong and cannot be weakened,” he said.
Later in the day, addressing a public event marking the ‘Bheem Hejje 100 Celebration’ at the Dr B R Ambedkar statue near Vidhana Soudha, Ashoka took aim at Congress for allegedly oppressing Dalits for decades.
“Whenever we speak of Dalits being oppressed, we must ask who oppressed them? It is Congress. For 75 years since Independence, Congress has failed to uplift the Dalits,” he said.
He also accused the party of misusing Dr B R Ambedkar’s legacy. “While Congress only invokes his name during elections, it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who honoured Ambedkar by developing Panchatirtha, five sacred sites linked to his life. Congress pretends to be pro-Dalit but deceives the very community it claims to support.”
Highlighting alleged land encroachments by the Waqf Board, Ashoka added, “Lacs of Dalits have lost property to Waqf land encroachments. In most cases I visited, the victims were Dalits. Yet Congress opposes the Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament. They are only interested in vote banks, not justice.”
He concluded, “The Constitution must survive, but Congress’ hollow promises must end. Dalits must see through the deception and demand real justice, not slogans.”