Congress accuses BJP of playing ‘Dalit card’ as party stages protest against “discrimination” of Governor

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], August 22 (ANI): In a fiery exchange of words, the Congress party has launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in Karnataka, accusing them of playing the ‘Dalit card’ in their protests against the Congress-led state government.

This comes in the wake of BJP leaders staging a protest against the alleged disrespect shown to Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot after he sanctioned the prosecution of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the MUDA (Mysore Urban Development Authority) scam.

The Congress further criticized the BJP for removing Gehlot from the Union Cabinet and appointing him as Governor, describing this move as an attempt to sideline him despite his active political career. “By stripping him of his ministerial role and using a Dalit leader as a pawn in your vendetta against political opponents, aren’t you committing a grave injustice and insult to the Dalit community?” the statement questioned.

Drawing comparisons, the Congress highlighted how the BJP’s internal dynamics led to the downfall of Bangaru Laxman, a Dalit leader who was appointed as the party’s National President by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The Congress asserted that Laxman was falsely accused of corruption, which eventually led to his demise, blaming the ‘Sanghi mindset’ within the BJP for not tolerating Dalit leadership.

The Congress party, in an official release stated, “Take a lesson from how our party’s senior leaders treat Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, our current National President, who also belongs to the Dalit community, with the utmost respect and dignity.”

“@BJP4Karnataka leaders, who are trying to change the Constitution, oppose reservations, and secretly harbour caste discrimination, have no moral right to speak about Dalits. If you genuinely respect the Dalit community, stop putting political pressure on Thawar Chand Gehlot to act against his conscience. Let him perform his duties in line with the Constitution, and end this drama of protests,” the release said.

Earlier, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held a state-wide protest against the Congress for disrespecting Governor Thawarchand Gehlot after he sanctioned prosecution against CM Siddaramaiah in the MUDA scam. The protest was led by the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy. BJP leaders and BJP Party Workers including former Deputy Chief Minister Dr.CN Ashwath Narayan joined the protest.

CN Ashwath Narayan said, “It is a fight against corruption, a fight for justice. Urging Congres to take action against its CM Siddaramaiah and ensure that he is immediately dismissed.”