The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is preparing a major offensive against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during the upcoming winter session of the state legislature in Belagavi. The opposition aims to systematically dismantle the CM's carefully cultivated image as a champion of the Ahinda communities—a Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes, and Dalits.
Adjournment Motion to Force Debate on Ahinda Issues
A dedicated group of BJP legislators belonging to the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Dalit communities plans to move an adjournment motion in both the legislative assembly and the council. Their objective is to force a debate on what they describe as the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government's failure in uplifting these marginalized sections. The legislators accuse the Chief Minister of using Ahinda groups as nothing more than a political shield to garner votes without ensuring substantive development.
The proposed debate is set to cover several contentious policy areas. These include the government's alleged mishandling of internal reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and its failure to extend similar benefits to Scheduled Tribes (STs). The BJP also plans to highlight the alleged diversion of sub-plan funds specifically allocated for SC and ST welfare. Furthermore, the opposition intends to argue that the Congress government treats Muslims as mere vote banks, a claim they say will be exposed during the session.
Specific Allegations on Reservation and Caste Census
On OBC-related issues, the BJP will challenge the government's decision to limit internal reservation in local body elections to only two categories. This is despite OBCs being divided into five distinct categories for education and employment purposes. The party argues this move contradicts the recommendations of the Justice K Bhaktavatsala committee, which advocated for four categories. According to BJP functionaries, this decision effectively deprives nearly 80% of the 802 OBC castes in Karnataka of rightful benefits in local governance.
The long-pending socio-educational survey, or caste census, is another key battleground. BJP leaders point out that the report remains incomplete because 13 government departments have yet to submit crucial secondary data. An estimated 15% of households are also believed to have been missed in the survey. N Ravikumar, the BJP chief whip in the council, criticized the exercise, recalling that during Siddaramaiah's previous term, Rs 70,000 crore was spent on a caste census by the Kantharaj Commission, only for the report to be shelved. He alleged a similar farce is now being played out.
Sharp Critique on SC Quota and Fund Diversion
Dalit BJP legislators are preparing particularly sharp critiques regarding the internal reservation for Scheduled Castes. The government had split the 17% SC quota into three groups: SC Left (6%), SC Right (6%), and touchable castes (5%). Critics highlight that 59 nomadic communities, which were assigned a separate 1% category by the Justice Nagamohan Das commission, have now been merged with the touchable castes category, potentially diluting their specific benefits.
Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, the leader of the opposition in the council, minced no words, stating, "Siddaramaiah is claiming he is a champion of Ahinda, but he is anti-Ahinda." He further vowed to highlight the government's deliberate move to mess up SC internal reservation. The BJP also plans to revisit the issue of sub-plan fund diversion, alleging that in the monsoon session, it was revealed the government had diverted about Rs 13,400 crore from a total budget allocation of Rs 42,071 crore meant for SC/ST welfare.
Additionally, BJP functionaries allege that Siddaramaiah has historically obstructed Dalit leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge and G Parameshwara from securing the chief minister's post. They also point to delays in filling cabinet vacancies left by ST ministers as evidence of the government's neglect. V Sunil Kumar, the BJP MLA from Karkala, summarized the opposition's goal: to expose the governing Congress as hypocritical on social justice and reveal how Siddaramaiah exploits Ahinda communities for his political interests.
