Ask PM Modi and Amit Shah to create jobs, taunts Congress chief Kharge

CHITRADURGA: “The Constitutional right of reservation will be guaranteed only when we can protect our Constitution and democracy”, said Congress national president Mallikarjun at the SC-ST convention held here on Sunday. He also questioned the BJP government on its recent move to hike reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Addressing the convention, he said, “The government cannot even provide employment opportunities to engineering and, medical graduates. Stop cheering Modi and Shah, by taking their names when they visit the state and ask them to create more employment.  Where has Modi been able to double farmers’ incomes as promised?”

Kharge first offered floral tribute to former Chief Minister Nijalingappa at the latter’s grave and then inaugurated the party’s SC-ST convention by beating the drum.

“The SC-ST unity convention is being held on the soil of Madakari Nayak. It is the land of Onake Obavva and other freedom fighters who sacrified their lives for the country. Most of the social reformers were born and brought up in this sacred place”, Kharge said.

Taunting Prime Minister Modi, the Congress leader said, “If we are disorganized and divided, no one will care for us. If there is no unity, someone will conquer us by following divide and rule policy like Modi”.

The Congress chief said, “Modi has banned scholarships for minorities, which is given in the name of former President A P J Abdul Kalam. Even though is following anti-people policies, why are people not fighting against the injustice? All people should be united. If we do not fight or oppose, we will just be limiting ourselves to garlanding and returning home. The Constitution was given to us by great leaders and we should protect it”.

In his address, KPCC president D K Shivakumar said, “The power of the Congress is the strength of this country, the history of the Congress is history of the country. If the Congress comes to power, it means that the country has been empowered”.

He further said, “Rahul Gandhi conducted Bharat Jodo Yatra. The way people have shown love and trust, and walk together during the Yatra has given strength to the country”.

“Kharge is holding a seat which was once held by Subhash Chandra Bose and the Gandhi family. We are here with the aim of forming the next government in the state under the leadership of Kharge and to strengthen him. All must take a vow to work for forming a government under the leadership of Kharge. All Indians should work together for it. If people acknowledge this, I am sure that the Congress will win 136 seats in the Assembly elections and come to power”, Shivakumar added.

“BJP leaders are playing on people’s emotions while the Congress is trying to improve the lives of people in the country. Don’t fall for the BJP’s lies, which is their capital. They could not keep their own words and did not fulfill their promises made during the election”, the KPCC chief remarked.

“The BJP formed a government because of Operation Lotus, but we are here to say that we are committed to our promises. We will stand by our words”, Shivakumar added

Opposition leader in the Assembly, Siddaramaiah, said, “There is a need to unite and fight for the rights of the deprived class and those denied social justice. The Congress has that power, but the BJP has no commitment or faith in social justice and reservation. It does not believe in equality in society and the Constitution”.

“Dr B R Ambedkar dreamt of an equal society while creating the Constitution. The BJP has no respect for the Indian Constitution and this is proved by their statements and behavior. Reservation is a right of the deprived class. As long as caste system is exist, there should be reservation. There is a rule to give reservation to socially backward classes, but they passed a bill to give 10 per cent reservation for upper castes and not the economically backward classes”, he added.

“There is a rule that a reservation should not exceed 50 per cent. But the present government has increased it to 66 per cent. It should be included in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution by January 31, otherwise, Congress will stage a huge protest”, Siddaramaiah warned.

Former deputy CM G Parameshwara, AICC state in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala, leaders B K Hariprasad, R V Deshpande and Shamanur Shivashanakarappa were also present at the programme.