The call for a Dalit Chief Minister is not new. It started with Mallikarjun Kharge and has persisted. This request isn’t exclusive to the Congress but extends to the BJP and JD(S) as well. Yet, so far, no Dalit figure has assumed this role in any political party, according to the Secretary of Public Welfare, Satish Jarkiholi.
“Over the past two decades, there has been a persistent demand for Mallikarjun Kharge, and in 2013, Dr. G. Parameshwara was also sought after for the position of Chief Minister. Unfortunately, both were not successful. Despite Congress having a significant representation among Scheduled Castes, they haven’t secured a prominent role. Attempts to influence the high command have been fruitless.”, he added.
Jarkiholi also added, “This matter will be reconsidered after the Lok Sabha elections. The names of candidates for the Belagavi and Chikkodi constituencies will not be disclosed in the initial list but will be revealed in the second. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar have proposed another meeting with all political leaders in the district.”
