'RSS signal on Modi's retirement is BJP's chance to make Dalit PM'

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Claiming that RSS Sarsanghcha lak Mohan Bhag wat has already signalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi's political retirement on turning 75, Karnataka Chief Minister Sidda ramaiah on Thursday said this was the BJP's "golden chance" to make a Dalit the next Prime Minister.

He was responding to Karna taka BJP President B Y Vijayendra, who had challenged the Congress to announce its presi dent Mallikarjun Kharge as its Prime Ministerial candidate to prove its commitment to back ward classes and SC/STs.

"Mallikarjun Kharge is not just the AICC president but a respected statesman. His rise is not the result of playing a 'Dalit card' but of decades of dedica tion, integrity, and public ser vice. He never needed political patronage. And let me be very clear: in the Congress, it is our party that decides who our PM candidate will be not the BJP," Siddaramaiah said.

Urging Vijayendra to focus on his own party instead of wast ing time talking about the Congress, Siddaramaiah said in a statement, "Mohan Bhagwat has already signalled Modi's re tirement, now that he is 75. This is the BJP's golden opportunity to make a Dalit the next Prime Minister. Let the initiative start with you."

"Instead of lecturing others, why don't you propose a Dalit leader as the BJP's Prime Minis terial face? Whether it's Govind Karjol or Chalavadi Naraya naswamy (state BJP leaders), if you propose their names, I'll be the first to congratulate you," he added. "But I have no illusions. The BJP's treatment of Dalits and backward classes has always been tokenistic.

Your history and hypocrisy speak for themselves," he said.

Highlighting the BJP's record of appointing OBC and SC/ST leaders as CMs in various states, Vijayendra had said on Wednes day, "Congress and Siddara maiah make speeches. I challenge them if they genuinely care about OBC or SC/ST communities, let them announce Mallikarjun Kharge as their Prime Ministerial candidate.

Let's see." "It won't happen. The Gandhi family won't allow it neither Rahul Gandhi nor Sonia Gandhi will accept it," the state BJP chief had claimed. Calling Vijayendra “a state president who cannot even secure the stability of his own chair,” Siddaramaiah alleged "it was laughable that he had the audacity to advise Congress on its Prime Ministerial choice."

"This isn't just ignorance and self-deception it's arrogance and entitlement," he claimed. He asked, "If Vijayendra has the habit of reading, he should familiarise himself with the BJP's record on backward classes, Dalits, and minorities.''