The former Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader K.S. Eshwarappa has criticised Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for doing what he called nothing for the welfare of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and the backward classes.
Addressing presspersons here on Sunday, Mr. Eshwarappa urged the Chief Minister to show his real concern for these communities by announcing a special package of Rs. 1,000 crore each for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and the backward classes in the budget.
Taking a dig at Mr. Siddaramaiah, Mr. Eshwarappa said that while in the Opposition Mr. Siddaramaiah used to speak a lot about these backward communities. However, when he had the authority to do something for them, he had failed, Mr. Eshwarappa said. He said that as it appeared to be the last budget of Mr. Siddaramaiah, he should use the opportunity to do some good for these people.
Mr. Eshwarappa said that Mr. Siddaramaiah was in a precarious position as he was caught between the high command and his supporters. Also, he did not have the support of many of his Cabinet colleagues, he pointed out.
Criticising Congress leaders for calling BJP anti-Dalit and anti-OBCs, Mr. Eshwarappa said that the party had, when in power, initiated several welfare measures for these communities and the fund was credited directly to the Deputy Commissioner’s account for ensuring easy distribution.
To a query, he said that the BJP’s “Swabhiman Samavesh” will be held in Tumkur on February 23 and members of these communities have been invited to apprise them of the various welfare measures initiated by the previous BJP government for them and to ask them to take the message to their brethern.
BJP State vice-president M. Nagaraj and urban district president Lingaraj Patil were present.
