Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS)
Bengaluru, Feb 11: Former chief minister of Karnataka and leader of opposition Siddaramaiah has accused the RSS and BJP of seeking political mileage in the reservation fight of Kuruba community. "The main intention of BJP and RSS is to break the Kuruba society," Siddaramaiah said.
Reacting to minister Eshwarappa's claim that Siddaramaiah has done nothing impressive when he was the chief minister, he said, "People of Karnataka know what work I have done, during my tenure as CM of the state, towards the socially oppressed people. Who is Eshwarappa to give me a certificate for my work? I do not want his approval. He should tell the public what his government has done."
Congress leader Siddaramaiah
Touching on the decision of the JD(S) not to field its candidates in the bypolls, Siddaramaiah said that the JD(S) does not have a firm base in north Karnataka. "The JD(S) leaders are planning to help the BJP. But the Congress has no dearth of workers. As soon as the election is announced, we will announce the names of our candidates. We will not organize AHINDA conventions. Our party has always backed the backward people. Therefore, there is no need for any struggle," he reasoned.
On the issue of reservation to Kuruba community, he said that the report by the tribal research committee has not yet been submitted and as such, he had advised the people not to resort to agitation till the report is submitted. He also stated that when he was the chief minister, he had passed an order to include Kuruba community under scheduled tribes category in the limits of four districts.
Siddaramaiah maintained that he does not want to bring politics in the fight for reservation and that this is a fight backed by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, who have propped up Eshwarappa.