CHAMARAJNAGAR: Heaping scorn on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for his ouster from the cabinet, veteran dalit leader V Srinivas Prasad announced on Saturday that he will contest the Assembly bypoll from Nanjangud but kept plans to join the BJP under wraps. In an emotional speech at “Swabhimana Samavesha” held here, he sought the opinion of his supporters on returning to the Legislative Assembly from Nanjangud and the possibility of joining the BJP. He, however, was evasive when asked which party he plans to join, saying “people should know which party I join only when I do so.”
He announced that he has turned an author to publish a book titled “Nenapugalu (memories)” on his four decade long political carrier and leaders whom he has met. His supporters plan to hold similar convention in T Narasipur, and a mega convention in Mysuru, later on. Mr Srinivas Prasad, who has won elections to Lok Sabha five times Chamarajanagar since 1977, evidently holds sway over people of the region, in particular Dalits. This was evident from the fact that more than 15,000 leaders, wellwishers, supporters and fans from different communities marched to the convention with flags and posters of Mr V Srinivas Prasad, and hailing him through folk songs. The leader turned emotional on watching his supporters at the rally.
Repeatedly attacking Mr Siddaramaiah during his speech, the former minister said he was axed because the Chief Minister suffered from an inferiority complex, but for survival made peace with other senior Dalit leaders including M Mallikarjun Kharge and Dr G Parameshwar. “Mr Siddaramaiah said he wanted to have an efficient cabinet. Does it mean he should remove me and appointing Priyank Kharge though his father is only two years senior to me in politics? No, he only wanted to make sure that he will continue as Chief Minister for the rest of the tenure,” he added.
Senior Dalit Sangarsha Samithi leader, Venkatramana Paapu, said “the humiliation meted out to a prominent Dalit leader, who is secular by dropping him from the cabinet, without any reason has caused much pain to everyone in our community. If you think you can finish him that is not possible.”
