Belagavi
Public Works Minister and Distict in-charge Minister Satish Jarkiholi lambasted those opposing the publication of the caste census report, saying ridiculing the report even before it has been handed over to the government serves no purpose. Vokkaliga and Veershaiva Lingayat leaders, the two politically dominant communities in the state, have both urged the government not to accept the report which the Karnataka State Backwards Classes Commission intends to submit later this month.
At a press conference, Jarkiholi said, opposing the report before it is handed over to the government doesn’t mean anything.
A thorough discussion must happen before the report is accepted. All elements of the report will be discussed threadbare. Those who are opposing it, should provide valid reasons. The Houses of the legislature have the ultimate power to accept or reject the report. Political functionaries passing comments on the report even before it is handed over to the government doesn’t help.
On selecting candidates for the Lok Sabha polls, he said the party will try and finalise names by January. The party will soon call for applications. As for the yardstick to pick candidates, apart from caste, their work as a member of the party should be popular among people and party workers. Winnable ability would also be considered, he said. On rumours of Congress deploying Operation Hasta to lure members of rival parties in City Corporation, he admitted that some BJP corporators were in contact with him. They are unhappy because they cannot take independent decisions, he said. But Congress has no intention deploying ‘Operation Hasta’. People have given us a mandate and we have a job to do.
