Belagavi
The electoral contest for the Belagavi Lok Sabha seat has taken an intriguing turn as former Minister Murugesh Nirani accuses Women and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar of falsely claiming her caste for electoral gain. Nirani asserted that Hebbalkar, along with her son Mrinal, the Congress candidate for the Belagavi Lok Sabha seat, misrepresented their caste identity for political advantage, alleging they are Banajigas rather than belonging to the dominant Lingayat Panchamasali community.
While addressing media at the BJP office on Wedensday, Nirani clarified that Laxmi Hebbalkar hails from the Hattiholi family in Khanapur taluk, which is a part of the Panchamasali community.
Nirani contested Hebbalkar’s recent statement claiming lineage to Rani Channamma, a revered historical figure known for her resistance against the British. Expressing disapproval, Nirani emphasized that no one should equate themselves with a legendary figure like Channamma.Highlighting past promises made by Hebbalkar regarding the 2A category reservation for Panchamasalis, Nirani questioned her advocacy for the community’s interests in the legislative assembly. Despite the BJP government’s creation of new categories like 2C and 2D without affecting 2A, Nirani pointed out the delay in fulfilling the promised reservation under the Congress government’s tenure.
