Some dalit MPs from Karnataka today met Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh demanding representation for the 'Madiga' community in the forthcoming reshuffle of the state cabinet.
They also sought representation from this most backward community for President's post of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC).
'Madiga' community is a scheduled caste that is found primarily in south India. They are also called as 'chamar or Mochi' in other states. In Karnataka, this community is known as 'dalit-left' group.
"We met the party general secretary Digvijay Singh yesterday and submitted our demands. We informed him that dalit-left Madiga community is the poorest among the dalits in the state. We need to uplift this community and for that adequate representation is required in the cabinet and even in KPCC," B N Chandrappa, MP from Chitradurga, told reporters.
At present, there is one minister in the state H Anjaneya representing this community in the cabinet, who is handling the social welfare ministry. "We demand one more cabinet berth from 'Madiga' community," said another dalit-left leader and former Rajya Sabha MP K B Krishnamurthy.
Krishnamurthy said that 'Madiga' population is highest among the scheduled caste in the state with a share of 7.2 per cent but they remain backward and lack adequate support.
Similarly for the party's president post at state level, he said, "We have demanded that a dalit-left leader should be appointed this time. We hope our demands will be accepted in the interest of the community in the state."
Late K H Ranganath and K T Rathod, and even Mallikarjun Kharge and at present G Parameshwara are dalit-right leaders who have headed KPCC so far. "An opportunity should be given now for dalit-left leader in KPCC," he said.
G Parameshwara, the incumbent Home Minister, is holding charge of the KPCC President on adhoc basis after his term ended two years back.
Dalit leader Muniyappa, MP from Kolar and former cabinet minister, was also present in the meeting.
