Mysuru: In a press conference which lasted for over 90 minutes, former revenue minister and Dalit leader who is defecting to BJP from Congress lashed out at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for “systematically eliminating state Dalit leaders”. V Srinivasa Prasad accused the chief minister of making Dalit leaders ineffective and cited the example of G Parameshwara who virtually became the “principal of a dumb school” after his defeat in Koratagere Assembly elections.
Srinivasa Prasad went on to add that he had wished for an honourable exit from politics after a 45-year tenure but the CM had provoked him to change his decision by inflicting a wound which was unlikely to heal. Referring to his removal from Cabinet, he further accused Siddaramaiah of going against the Congress high command’s decision which had intended to retain him in the party.
“Mallikarjun Kharge was sent to Lok Sabha to lead 45 members. Both Kharge and Parameshwara have no moral ground to talk against me as they have failed to stand by Dalits”, scorned Prasad.
“I have got an assurance from BJP leaders that my self-respect and dignity would not be hurt”. Prasad claimed that Siddaramaiah was the most anti-Dalit chief minister he had seen in the State. Terming the CM as a backstabber, Prasad reiterated that there would be no change in his fundamental thinking, though he was joining BJP now.
Dismissing claims of the chief minister that he (Prasad) had not done much for Nanjangud constituency, he said that he would soon bring out a handbook listing out the developmental works undertaken by him in the constituency.
Prasad criticised the “pseudo social justice” practised by the CM and accused him of having remained silent on the Kuppegala incident. He advised Siddu to act on the issue.
Prasad tore the CM apart on his decision of changing the state car when a crow sat over it and criticised his family’s visit to Tirupathi when fire was noticed in his chopper. Asserting himself as a Buddhist, Prasad went on to add that he had been mentioned as “Buddhist” in the state caste census.
Accusing Siddaramaiah of being an opportunist, Srinivas Prasad said CM had met L K Advani after quitting JDS to grab power and might go again with JDS if the situation demanded.
‘H C Mahadevappa, collection agent for Cong High Command’
Prasad did not even spare District In-charge Minister H C Mahadevappa by accusing him of visiting every village in Nanjangud, only with an eye on the forthcoming by-election. Touting Mahadevappa as an agent of the party high command for collecting party funds, Prasad said the Minister was doling out false promises to innocent villagers in the constituency.
On the occasion Prasad praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiatives including “Mann Ki Baat” programme, Swachh Bharat campaign and many other initiatives taken for the welfare of the people.
Endorsing BJP’s agenda on Swacch Bharath, he said everyone took to brooms during the government sponsored cleanliness campaign and expected even the RSS to change with times. Modi’s election victory revolved round Ambedkar’s thoughts, he said and opined even BJP believed in equality thus justifying his decision to join the party.
He concluded by saying his criticism against BJP was purely situational and would just need less than half a day to explain the reasons for quitting congress and joining BJP. His final decision was based on fulfilling the wishes of his constituency supporters who had ultimately opted for BJP, Prasad explained.
Former MUDA Chairman K R Mohan Kumar, former MLC C Ramesh, Nanjangud Congress leader Kumbrahalli Subbanna were also present.
Former MDCC Bank president C Basavegowda, who is currently with Congress, too is expected to join the BJP along with Prasad at the party’s state headquarters in Malleshwaram on January 2.
