Date:24/10/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/10/24/stories/2005102404590500.htm

Karnataka - Bidar

Srinivas Prasad inaugurates AHINDA rally

Staff Correspondent

Hopes movement does not end up becoming a political party

V. Srinivas Prasad

Bidar: The former Union Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader V. Srinivas Prasad inaugurated the Alpasankhyataru Hindulidavaru mattu Dalitaru (AHINDA) Swabhimani Chaitanya Yatra, the first in a series of rallies planned by the splinter group of Janata Dal (Secular), across the State in Basavakalyan on Sunday.

While several speakers, including the former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, asked the people to defeat the party headed by Deve Gowda and his sons, Mr. Prasad hoped that AHINDA does not end up as a political party.

"All backward class movements in the State, which tried to create vote banks for parties have failed. This is because the voter is mature and can differentiate between a socio-cultural organisation and a political party. We should instead try and build a strong pressure group, which continues to protect the interests of disadvantaged communities," Mr. Prasad said.

He called for a nationwide debate on internal reservation.

Mr. Siddaramaiah called upon people to defeat Mr. Gowda, who, he alleged, represents vested interests who are against socio-economic dynamism.

He accused Mr. Gowda of being intolerant of the culture of self-respect among the lower class.

Mr. Siddaramaiah criticised Mr. Gowda's demand for internal reservation among 2A category of OBC. He said his party will fight for internal reservation based on the population of each deprived community.

The rally witnessed songs on Siddaramaiah, and slogans such as "then Basavanna — now Siddaramanna." No Congress leader were present.