The Hindu : Karnataka News : Congress, BJP accused of betraying Dalits

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Thursday, Apr 03, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Congress, BJP accused of betraying Dalits

Staff Correspondent

BSP holds district-level convention in Hospet

List of candidates to be announced after Ugadi
BSP to contest all 224 Assembly constituencies

HOSPET: Veersingh, Uttar Pradesh MP and general secretary of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), has criticised the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for betraying Dalits and backward classes. He appealed to the people not to vote for them in the coming Assembly elections in the State.

Addressing a district-level convention of BSP workers here on Wednesday, Mr. Veersingh said the BSP was emerging stronger owing to its policy of inclusive welfare. He urged the people to repose confidence in the party and bring it to power in the State.

Electoral baits

“Today the BSP has spread its roots outside Uttar Pradesh. With the kind of support it has been enjoying, I am confident that it will capture power at the Centre,” he said. He asked the people not to fall for the “electoral baits” offered by the BJP and Congress.

Senior party leader P.G.R. Sindhia said the party had decided to give representation to candidates from all sections of society in the coming elections.

Promises

Making it clear that the BSP would field its candidates in all 224 Assembly constituencies, he said that 30 seats would be given to Muslims, 70 seats to the backward classes, 30 seats to women and some to the forward community as well.

The election manifesto has promised free rice, sugar and kerosene to the poor, government jobs for unemployed youth, unemployment stipend of Rs. 3,000 a month, enhancement in pension, monthly allowance of Rs. 1,000 to the visually challenged and reservation of jobs in the private sector.

Stating that the list of candidates was in the process of being finalised, he said it would be announced after Ugadi.

Mr. Sindhia said the party had already decided to field Mundargi Nagaraj, BSP leader in the district, from Hagari Bommanahalli (reserved) constituency. “Unlike other parties, the BSP wants to give good governance and ensure welfare of all sections of society,” he said.

Raw deal

Criticising the Congress for giving a raw deal to the Dalits, Mr. Sindhia said the Congress would continue to do so by not making Mallikarjun Kharge its chief ministerial candidate.

Vote bank

“The Congress has been using Mr. Kharge as a tool to gain the support of the Dalits. But, I am sure Mr. Kharge will never be made Chief Minister,” he said.

M. Muniyappa, State unit president of the party, presided over the function. M. Jayanna, Syed Zulfikar Hashmi, Mundargi Nagaraj and Panduranga were present on the occasion.

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