G Parameshwara

DAVANAGERE: Karnataka deputy chief minister G Parameshwara on Sunday claimed that he’s a victim of Dalit suppression, due to which he missed the chance to become the chief minister. He added that he had to reluctantly accept the deputy CM’s post.

At a time the coalition government in Karnataka faces trouble over dissatisfaction from the Congress over conceding the CM’s post to JD(S) leader and chief minister HD Kumaraswamy, Parameshwara’s statement adds more fuel to fire ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

In Davanagere to participate in a Chalavadi (right sect of Dalits) rally, Parameshwara said: “I am a victim of suppression and hence couldn’t get the CM’s post. I reluctantly accepted the deputy CM’s post, in which I was not interested.”

Earlier, Parameshwara said even Dalit Congress leaders like B Basavalingappa and KH Ranganath, and current sitting MP from Kalaburagi, Mallikarjun Kharge, missed the chance to lead the state. “All of them could have become CMs, but were victims of Dalit suppression,” he said.

Parameshwara said he came for the Chalavadi Mahasabha to voice his disappointment and also to seek the community’s support. The DyCM used the opportunity to state that untouchability was rampant in rural Karnataka and till now, Dalits were being prevented from entering temples, hotels and barbar shops despite the constitution guaranteeing the oppressed caste their rights.

He said Dalits must worship the constitution’s architect BR Ambedkar as the community’s god.

Earlier, Davanagere MLA and All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha (AIVM) president Shamanur Shivashankarappa backed Mallikarjun Kharge as the next prime ministerial candidate.

“Kharge fulfils the eligibility criteria to become the Prime Minister and is capable of facing the current PM Narendra Modi , more than AICC chief Rahul Gandhi,” he said.

