Minority wing of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) organised a convention ahead of the Lok Sabha elections which became a platform for minority community leaders, including elected representatives, to ask for more benefits, here on March 2.
Increase in allocation of funds, 15 per cent reservation in nominations to boards and corporations, fielding Muslims from four Lok Sabha constituencies in the State, two from Christian community and removal of government surety clause for loans up to Rs. 1 lakh were among the demands that were raised at the convention.
Chief Minister, S. Siddaramaiah did not attend the much publicised minority convention. Many political commentators and community leaders expressed their displeasure and observed that it shows the political weightage of Muslims and their leaders. “Sometimes it looks right that BJP says Congress have made Muslims as their vote bank. Chief Minister should have attended the conference, it has hurt the sentiments of a large Muslim population which has voted for Congress” Mr. Ghulam-e-Ghouse, a political commentator observed.
Mr. N.A. Haris, Shantinagar MLA expressed unhappiness over the government not having set aside even one per cent of the total budget allocation for minority development. He said that “we form 15 per cent of the population, yet we don’t even have one percent of the budget allocated for us. We don’t want petty loans of Rs. 10,000 for autorickshaws and roadside vegetable shops. We expect adequate education grants for our children”, he urged.
Mr. Haris also requested the government to nominate a member from the minority community to the Karnataka Public Service Commission. He also requested the govt. that the community should also get one more representative in the State Cabinet.
On the occasion, former Railway Minister C.K. Jaffer Sharief dismissed the demand by some party leaders that more youngsters should be given ticket to contest elections. He said that “it is not enough to get just a ticket, one should have the ability to win. And for that, one needs the love and affection of the people,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, KPCC president G. Parameshwara called upon minority community members to claim their rights with authority. “You need not beg. Unless you claim, you will not be considered fit even for one per cent of the budgetary allocation. The Congress is your house. Keep it secure and strong,” he said.
State Youth Congress president Rizwan Arshad called upon his community to strive to make AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi the Prime Minister.
Naseer Ahmed and H.B. Chand Pasha, KPCC minority wing leaders and Ministers K.J. George and U.T. Khader and Qamarul Islam also spoke at the convention.Courtesy:Karnataka Muslims
http://karnatakamuslims.com/portal/chief-minister-misses-the-minority-convention/