Congress party has initiated steps to bring back into its fold the dalits that have for various reasons become estranged from it in the State. The process of bringing back the alienated weaker sections will begin with a state-level meeting at the Rice Millers’ Association Hall here on Sunday.
Former Central Minister J.D.Seelam, AICC SC Department chairman Koppula Raju, APCC president N. Raghuveera Reddy, Rajya Sabha Member K.V.P. Ramachandra Rao will address dalit Congress leaders from all the 13 districts. Former Union Minister K.Chiranjeevi is also likely to attend the meeting subject to his availability, local leaders said.
Andhra Pradesh SC Department chairman Korivi Vinay Kumar came to the city on Thursday and reviewed the arrangements for the day-long meeting. Talking to The Hindu Mr. Vinay Kumar said only the Congress party had been serving the dalits according to the ideals of B.R. Ambedkar. The party was extending welfare and social justice to them. But after Sonia Gandhi became AICC president the emphasis was shifted from mere welfare to the rights of the dalits. The National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and other such schemes have made development “right-based” Mr. Vinay Kumar said.
The NDA government was reducing the number of ration cards, pensions and other benefits for the poor, he said.
