After facing flak from Dalit organisations over his remark that a Muslim can also be made the chief minister if the party comes to power, JD(S) leader and former Karnataka CM H D Kumaraswamy said that he would make a Dalit the chief minister.
A section of Dalits staged protest against the former chief minister for his statement, “Why cannot C M Ibrahim become the chief minister? Is he untouchable?”
Addressing a press conference at the party’s ‘Pancharatna’ campaign in Tumakuru, Kumaraswamy said, “I have not committed any crime. Even Congress leader Siddaramaiah had made such a statement but why are people targeting only me over the Dalit issue,” the New Indian Express reported.
He added that he had great concern for the Muslim community.
Pointing out that since the BJP came to power at the Centre, Muslims are being treated differently and a hate campaign has been launched against them, he clarified, “Remarks like ‘go to Pakistan’ have often been reported. It was in this context that I made the statement (about Ibrahim).”
When asked whether his party could make a Dalit the CM, he replied, “Why not. I have been trying to build the party keeping in view its survival for the next 25 years. If the party comes to power, I have kept all options open, including making a Dalit CM. We will follow the advice of my father H D Deve Gowda who is known for ensuring social justice.”
(Inputs from The New Indian Express)
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Rabia Shireen is a Staff Reporter at The Cognate.
