CM Bommai dares Congress to clarify stand on internal reservation

Hubballi: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has asked Congress leaders to clarify their stance on internal reservation and increasing the reservation for SC-ST communities.

He was speaking at a felicitation ceremony organised at Hubballi by the Scheduled Tribes Federation for the state government on Thursday.

"We have increased the reservation for SC-ST communities and also brought internal reservation for the SCs, which was a longstanding demand. The Congress leaders should make it clear whether they support or oppose the increase in SC-ST reservation," he said.

Bommai accused the Congress of humiliating Dalits, from Dr. B R Ambedkar to Babu Jagjeevan Ram.

He alleged that there Congress is adopting double standards and there is difference in their speech and actions.

"They were in power for several years and made the SC-ST community their vote bank. Social justice remained only in speech," he added. He also alleged that Congress was keen on division in society.

Bommai further blamed Siddaramaiah for trying to divide the Lingayat community and creating division among school-going children during his term as the Chief Minister.

Bommai accused Congress of creating confusion among the Dalit community on reservation.

"The National SC Commission wrote a letter to the state inquiring about the Scheduled status for Banjara, Bovi, Korcha, and Korma communities. But Congress, which was in power then, did not take a clear stand, nor did the later coalition government. We have made it clear and have also mentioned it in the Government Order. These communities are in the Scheduled list," he added.