New Delhi: Some Dalit MPs from Karnataka today met Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh to demand representation for 'Madiga' community during a reshuffle of the state cabinet.
They also sought representation from this most backward community for president's post of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). 'Madiga' community is a scheduled caste that is found primarily in south India. They are called 'chamar or Mochi' in other states. In Karnataka, this community is known as 'Dalit-left' group.
"We met party general secretary Digvijay Singh and submitted our demands. We informed him that Dalit-left Madiga community is the poorest among Dalits in the state. We need to uplift this community and for that, adequate representation is required in the cabinet and KPCC," B.N. Chandrappa, Chitradurga MP told reporters.
At present, there is one minister in the state H Anjaneya representing this community in the cabinet, who is handling the social welfare ministry. "We demand one more cabinet berth from 'Madiga' community," said another Dalit-left leader and former Rajya Sabha MP K B Krishnamurthy.
Krishnamurthy said that 'Madiga' population is highest among the scheduled caste in the state with a share of 7.2 per cent but they remain backward and lack adequate support.
Similarly for the party's president post at state level, he said, "We have demanded that a Dalit-left leader should be appointed. We hope our demands will be accepted in the interest of the community."
Late K H Ranganath and K T Rathod, and even M Mallikarjun Kharge and at present G Parameshwar are Dalit-right leaders who have headed KPCC. " Former Union minister K.H. Muniyappa was present in the meeting.
