BENGALURU: Members of the Karnataka Dalit Sangathan staged a protest in Bengaluru on Saturday, urging the Congress leadership to appoint Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara as the state’s next chief minister.The protesters carried placards and raised slogans in support of Parameshwara, citing his long association with the Congress party and demanding that a Dalit leader be given the top post in the state.Speaking to reporters, the protesters said, “We want justice for G. Parameshwara… He didn’t get a reward for what he did. He has been working for Congress for a very long time.”Another protester said, “G. Parameshwara has not been given the title of the CM… Karnataka Dalit Sangathan is holding a protest against this… We demand to make him the CM… Karnataka needs a Dalit CM…”Earlier on Saturday, leaders from the Dalit community staged a separate demonstration at Kempegowda International Airport, demanding that the Congress appoint former minister K H Muniyappa as Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister.Members of the Madara Mahasabha and several Dalit organisations gathered at the airport with posters and sought a meeting with AICC Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala to submit a memorandum regarding their demand.The protest at Terminal 1 continued for several hours and drew considerable attention.The demonstrators said the Madiga community has never been represented in key positions such as Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister or KPCC president and argued that it should be given the Deputy Chief Minister’s post.They also warned that ignoring the demand could have political consequences for the Congress and said the community would respond if it was denied representation.
