Date:13/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/13/stories/2007091352780400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

BJP to hold a counter convention of Dalits

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: Taking exception to the plans by some Dalit organisations to hold a convention to oppose transfer of power to the BJP in the State, Dalit leaders of the BJP have decided to hold a counter convention.

Addressing presspersons here on Wednesday, BJP MLA for Mudigere and Dalit leader, M.P. Kumaraswamy, said the convention would be organised soon at Palace Grounds here. He claimed that the party would ensure that close to 10 lakh people attend the proposed convention.

Some of the Dalit organisations had termed the BJP as anti-Dalit and argued that power should not be transferred to it. Taking exception to this, Mr. Kumaraswamy said it was wrong to think that the party was anti-Dalit. The fact that the highest number of Dalit MLAs (16) had been elected on the BJP ticket was a pointer to the party’s pro-Dalit stand, he claimed.

He further claimed that the JD (S)-BJP Government had laid emphasis on welfare schemes for Dalits and enhanced the allocation for them. This included construction of hostels and residential schools and implementation of the special component scheme.