The former Union Minister and the leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha M. Mallikarjun Kharge has taken exception to the media and others identifying him as a Dalit leader.
He said that this showed the mindset of the people towards leaders from the Dalit community. “In my long political career, I have never identified myself as a Dalit leader but rather as a Congress worker.”
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Mr. Kharge said, “The issue regarding a Dalit Chief Minister is another attempt to create a division among the Congress leaders on caste lines. Those who are creating this issue had not made such a demand when there was an opportunity for a Dalit leader to become the Chief Minister.” He said that the party high command had the final say in deciding the Chief Minister and there were instances when leaders who had the support of MLAs were denied the post and those who did not have the support became Chief Ministers.
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Mr. Kharge added that he did not know why this demand had been made now when there was no vacancy for the post of the Chief Minister.