Chalavadi Narayanaswamy accuses Congress of betraying dalits

Mysuru: Leader of opposition in the council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Congress, accusing it of betraying the dalit community for decades.

Speaking to reporters, he alleged that Congress denied dalits the opportunity to become chief minister and used them only as a vote bank for over 70 years.

Referring to internal political developments in Congress, he claimed that the high command has now initiated leadership change discussions, but said replacing Siddaramaiah with DK Shivakumar would make no difference to dalits. Narayanaswamy asserted that only the BJP could genuinely make a dalit chief minister and said, “Miracles happen only in our party.”

He criticised the Siddaramaiah-led govt, saying it was a “zero achievement” govt and accused it of surviving only on the strength of its five guarantee schemes.

He alleged that Gruha Lakshmi payments have been delayed for months and questioned the govt over unfulfilled promises of providing 10 kg of rice. Narayanaswamy also raised concerns over poor conditions in SC hostels, unemployment among educated youth and internal reservation issues.

Calling Congress a “true anti-dalit party,” he urged dalits to show their political strength in the 2028 assembly elections and expressed confidence that the BJP would return to power in Karnataka, winning 150 seats.