MANGALURU: Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment and MSME Shobha Karandlaje on Thursday accused the Congress government in Karnataka of hatching a conspiracy to increase the reservation of minorities through a fresh caste census in the state.
Talking to reporters in Mangaluru, Karandlaje alleged that the Siddaramaiah government has a one-point agenda behind the caste census, which is to show that the population of minorities has increased and thereby increase reservation for them.
Further, she alleged that whenever Siddaramaiah comes to power, he tries to divide the people on the basis of religion and caste. She said that the fresh caste census is intended to further divide the people, and added that people of the state will not accept it.
She questioned the sudden U-turn of the chief minister has firmly stated that he will implement the caste census despite the opposition to it. "So much of money was spent on it in a span of 10 years. Two commissions were appointed," she said.
Expressing serious doubts about the completion of the fresh caste census within 90 days, she asked if the caste numbers will be written sitting in AC rooms.
"Did the Jayaprakash Hegde Commission visit you homes to check your caste," she asked.
Earlier, she said the fresh caste survey was intended to divert people's attention from the deaths of 11 people in a stampede during the RCB victory celebrations at M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru.
Karandlaje blamed the state government of not providing land for railway, national highways and other central projects, resulting in delay in the implementation of several key infrastructural projects in the state.
"In a federal system, the Centre works based on the proposals sent by the state governments. Who should give land for national highways? ... Whenever I approach Nitin Gadkari, he asks why the South Indian states are not ready to give land," she said.
Karandlaje said that the Union Transport Minister asks ministers of the state not to approach him, as Karnataka is not ready to cooperate and give land for highways.
She also took serious exception to chief minister not attending NITI Ayog meetings.
"How many NITI Ayog meetings have you attended. Then how will you present the state demands. You don't want development. You only make drama on the pretext of guarantees," she questioned.
