Congress leader Priyank Kharge on Monday trained guns against Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling him “nalayak” (useless) over Banjara community’s resentment on Karnataka government’s announcement of internal reservation to Scheduled Castes. The community has been protesting against the move as the recommendation for an internal quota for the SCs in four separate categories will lower the share for them.
Targeting PM Modi, Kharge, the son of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, “When you came to Gulbarga, you told the Banjara community not to worry. You told them the son of Banjaras is sitting in Delhi.”
“If there is such a nalayak (useless) beta, how will the house run? After saying he is the son of the Banjara community, he created reservation troubles for the Banjara community,” he added.
The last month saw protests and demonstrations by the members of the community who believe that the new policy will harm their interests.
Stones were pelted at former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddiyurappa's residence and office in Shikaripura and Shikaripura-Shivmogga highway was blocked by the protestors from Banjara and Bhovi community.
The banners and flags of BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, were torn down by the youth agitators, who also set fire to tires and sarees to express their discontent.
The two-time MLA from Chittapur, Priyank Kharge served as minister in Siddharamaiah and HD Kumaraswamy governments.
The Congress has fielded him from Chittapur seat for the May 10 Karnataka elections. He entered politics as an activist of the student wing of Congress, National Students’ Union of India.
The 224-member Karnataka Assembly will undergo polls on May 10 and the votes will be counted on May 13.