Alleging that there were attempts by some in the Congress to block the rise of Dalit leaders, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara on Sunday claimed that he has thrice been denied the chief ministerial post, as he belonged to the Dalit community.
"PK Basavalingappa and KH Ranganath missed the chief ministerial post. Mallikarjun Kharge also couldn't become the CM. I missed it thrice. Somehow, I was made the deputy CM," Parameshwara said at an event in Davangere on Sunday," he said.
"Dalits are being discriminated at the government level too. Even though the reservation is facilitated, there has been injustice in promotions," he added.
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Parameshwara also alleged that some people wanted to suppress him politically.
Parameshwara's statement comes at a time the coalition government in Karnataka is facing trouble over dissatisfaction from the Congress, over conceding the CM's post to JD(S) leader and chief minister HD Kumaraswamy.
(With inputs from agencies)
