Bengaluru: In an effort to garner the support of Dalits and minorities in the run-up to elections to the Legislative Assembly in 2018, state JD (S) president H.D. Kumaraswamy on Monday said that if voted to power, his party would reward a member of either of these communities with the post of deputy chief minister.
Participating in an outreach programme with members of Dalit organisations held at the Town Hall in the city, Mr Kumaraswamy said that so far, no Dalit could make it to the top post in Karnataka.
His party, said the JD(S) chief, would offer the deputy chief minister's to Dalits.
"There is talk that the JD(S) will come to power. Some say that a coalition government will be formed after the Assembly elections, and I will be the Chief Minister. There are some astrologers predicting the same. I do not believe astrologers. If I come to power, the first thing I will do is remove the gates of Vidhana Soudha and allow everyone to enter," he added.
Dismissing the allegations that he had opposed the Bill for reservation in promotions in the session, Mr Kumaraswamy said the government headed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had failed to introduce a comprehensive legislation on the new policy. "If my party comes to power, this will be the first Bill to be passed by the Assembly. I support even reservations in the private sectors. I want the parliament to introduce a bill in this regard," Mr Kumaraswamy added.
Taking a dig the authorities concerned about the condition of hostels meant for the backward classes, Mr Kumaraswamy said more than construction of these hostels, maintenance was of utmost importance.
Without mentioning Chief Minister Mr Siddaramaiah's name, Mr Kumaraswamy said his father and JD (S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda was dubbed a Vokkaliga leader although he groomed leaders belonging to all communities.
And some of these leaders were now enjoying power after migrating to other political parties, he said adding "They say that I give tickets only to people with money. More than money, I need candidates who mingle with people. For deserving candidates, who are not financially well off, we give tickets as well as financial assistance,'' Mr Kumaraswamy added.
