'We Give Our Votes But Power Rests With Other Communities:' Karnataka Minister's Call For Dalit CM Stirs Row

Highlighting the principle advocated by BR Ambedkar, Minister Mahadevappa urged his community to support their leaders instead of depending on others for political representation.

HC Mahadevappa emphasised the importance of community support rather than party politics.

Source : X/@DrHCMahadevappa

Karnataka Social Welfare Minister HC Mahadevappa reignited the call for a Dalit Chief Minister on Wednesday and urged the community to consolidate support behind their leader. He highlighted the backing received by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his predecessors, BS Yediyurappa and HD Deve Gowda, from their respective communities emphasizing the need for similar solidarity for a Dalit leader.

According to IANS, Karnataka Social Welfare Minister said, “How did Siddaramaiah, Yediyurappa and Deve Gowda go on to become CMs? We do not give our votes unitedly and demand the post for our community... We give our votes and power rests with other communities,” he said while addressing the SC/ST Employees convention."

HC Mahadevappa clarified that neither Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Home Minister Dr G. Parameshwara, nor himself were not in position to demand for the Chief Minister's post. 

Highlighting the principle advocated by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Mahadevappa urged his community to support their leaders, instead of depending on others for political representation. He stressed the importance of individuals from oppressed communities ascending to policymaking positions like District Commissioners (DCs), Superintendents of Police (SPs), judges, Chief Ministers (CMs), and even the Prime Minister (PM).

By advocating for unity and self-representation, Mahadevappa called on his community to foster an environment where they could achieve significant political and social roles, mirroring the strategies of other castes to empower themselves through solidarity and collective action, the report said.

However, the Minister clarified amid controversy and media scrutiny over his previous comments which he explained were made in a community event. He emphasised the importance of community support rather than party politics.

He highlighted that the Congress party has appointed several Dalits as chief ministers in other states.