Bengaluru: Upset over the unwarranted debate related to the appointment of a Dalit as Chief Minister, AICC general secretary, Digvijay Singh has reportedly issued a gag order to both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, President Dr G. Parameshwar to refrain from making public statements on the issue of appointing a Dalit as CM.
After a meeting with Mr Siddaramaiah on Saturday night, Mr Singh reportedly directed the Chief Minister to instruct his cabinet colleagues not to issue any statements regarding the ongoing debate. It is learnt that the AICC general secretary told KPCC president Dr Parameshwar not to speak on the issue since the post of CM was not vacant. He also told Dr Parameshwar not to raise such demands in the interests of the party.
Sources in the Congress said attention has been deflected from several developmental issues owing to the unnecessary debate on the subject of Dalit CM. A few Cabinet Ministers, party leaders and a section of Dalit leaders have been making public statements on the issue. The Cabinet meeting held last Thursday also debated the issue which has grabbed media attention.
