War of words over caste issue

Allegations levelled by Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly H.D. Kumaraswamy against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of practising caste politics on Sunday was tersely denied by the latter on Monday.

Mr. Siddaramaiah told presspersons he had not learnt the art of practising caste politics and he would not do so even in the future. “I know that a politician cannot grow with the support of just one caste,” he added.

‘First to sow’

He said people know it was the JD(S) leaders who had sown seeds of caste politics in the State.

Reacting to allegations of transfer of Vokkaliga officials, he said it was natural for the new government to transfer officials and his government was no exception.

Cautioned

On Sunday, participating in a programme organised by the State Vokkaliga Federation, to felicitate newly elected legislators at the Town Hall, Mr. Kumaraswamy had cautioned Mr. Siddaramaiah against practising vindictive politics against the Vokkaliga community.

He surprised those present by speaking on behalf of his political foe D.K. Shivakumar (Congress), who was denied Cabinet berth and happens to belong to the Vokkaliga community.

Ambareesh’s view

Meanwhile, Minister for Housing M.H. Ambareesh on Monday refuted the charge that the State government was targeting only Vokkaligas during the on-going transfer season.

Speaking to presspersons, the Minister brushed aside Mr. Kumaraswamy’s outburst on the issue as having “no meaning”.

He said that no official had been transferred based on the caste they belonged to.

There would be a valid and sufficient reason for effecting transfers, he said.