Kharge’s missed chance sparks Dalit chief minister debate | Bengaluru News
Bengaluru: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge‘s admission that he was denied the chief minister’s post in 1999 has rekindled debate over Dalit representation in Karnataka politics, triggering sharp reactions from BJP and measured responses from Congress.At a public event in Vijayapura, Kharge revealed that despite leading Congress’ Legislature Party (CLP) during the 1999 assembly elections, the party chose SM Krishna as CM. His remark drew a swift and stinging response from opposition leader R Ashoka, who accused Congress brass — especially the Gandhi family — of sidelining Dalit functionaries.“Kharge spoke about not being made CM and has now demanded to be appointed to the post to clear a debt owed to him,” Ashoka said. “Minister (KN) Rajanna has already spoken about a revolution, and Kharge’s has nicely times his demand, like hitting a ripe mango with a stone.”He also pointed out that Siddaramaiah, who came from JD(S), was made CM while Kharge, a long-serving Congress loyalist, was overlooked. “I will not predict the future, but MLAs have confirmed that a deal has already been made in Congress,” Ashoka said. “Discussions about a CM change are ongoing across all districts in Congress.”BJP state president BY Vijayendra also weighed in, claiming Kharge had openly shared his “pain and disappointment” with people of the state. “Despite working for 40-50 years in the party and contributing to its organisation, Kharge revealed that he was denied the CM’s post. Kharge’s comments indirectly exposed how the Gandhi family, Congress party, and Siddaramaiah have been unjust to Scheduled Castes and Tribes,” he said.Meanwhile, Congress functionaries offered mixed reactions. NS Boseraju, science and technology minister, defended Kharge’s remarks, saying they were intended to inspire party workers. “Kharge had an opportunity, but Krishna became CM. We should understand the message. Kharge spoke with the intention that many such opportunities will come,” Boseraju said.Home minister G Parameshwara refused to comment. On Jagalur legislator B Devendrappa recently suggesting his name for the CM post, Parameshwara said it was “not the right time to discuss the issue”.
