Days after calling the Prime Minister a “venomous snake,” Congress President M. Mallikarjun Kharge’s son and former minister Priyank Kharge called Narendra Modi a “nalayak.”
Priyank, who is seeking re-election in the May 10 Assembly elections from Chittapur in the Kalaburagi district, stated that despite claiming to be a son of the Banjara community, the Prime Minister was “inept” because he and his party had caused confusion about reservations for the SC community.
“When you (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) came to Gulbarga (Kalaburagi) what did you tell the people of Banjara community? “Aap sab log dariye mat. Banjara ka ek beta Dilli mein Baitha hai (You do not be afraid. A son of Banjara is sitting in Delhi.),” said Priyank quoting from Modi’s speech.
“Aisa nalayak beta baitha to kaise hota bhai? Ghar kaise chalega?” (If an inept son is sitting in Delhi, how can you run the family?), he asked, addressing the people.
He further added: “What we are saying is that he said he is the son of Banjara community and created confusion pertaining to the reservation. Didn’t injustice happen to the Banjara community? Why were stones thrown at Yediyurappa’s house in Shikaripura (in Shivamogga district)? Why Bandh was observed in Kalaburagi and Jewargi observed? Today there is confusion in the reservation.”
Priyank served as a minister in the Siddaramaiah government. “Prime Minister during his earlier visit said he was a son of the Koli community and the Kabbaliga and Kuruba communities. Today he calls himself a son of the Banjara community,” he continued.
The BJP government passed a bill to raise the Scheduled Castes’ reservation from 15% to 17% towards the end of its term. According to the government, the internal reservation for SCs (Left) is now at 6 per cent, SCs (Right) are at 5.5 per cent, and other SCs are at 5.5 per cent.
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