From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Nov 22: The ruling Congress party is committed to its stand on Caste Census even as many communities have demanded a scientific survey, said Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

Speaking to media persons near the Chief Minister’s residence, he said several communities have been demanding reservation based on their population and several communities, including Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Panchamasali Lingayats, Veerashaivas and Vokkaligas have also been pressing for their demands.

He pointed out that the communities have been waging a struggle on non-political basis and leaders of these communities have been pointing out that their communities had not been contacted by the Kantharaju commission in its report.

Asked if he had signed a petition seeking rejection of the Kantharaju commission and demanding a scientific survey, Shivakumar said he had participated in the meetings on the issue leaving aside the political affiliations and to protect the interests of the community. Several ministers have participated even in the past and have organised meetings.

The Deputy Chief Minister said another round of talks will be held shortly on the appointments of chairmen for the boards and corporations.

“Both myself and the Chief Minister have to take part in the Congress party election campaign in Telangana. Congress leaders from Delhi are coming to Karnataka on November 28. We will discuss names at this meeting and then send the list to the party high command,’’ he indicated.

To a question on the reported unhappiness of Home Minister Dr G Parameshwar on the delay in finalising the names of persons to head the boards and corporations, Shivakumar shot back: “He has just returned after a three days. It is you people (media), who are creating issues based on the remarks from some other persons. Why should he unhappy and what is there to be unhappy about. He knows these things are decided.’’

Shivakumar dismissed the BJP charge that the delays in appointments to boards and corporations was due to collection of money and wanted to know why the BJP took six months to finalise the name of the leader of opposition in the assembly and still has not decided on its opposition leader in the council. “They should know how many years they took to finalise the names and how chief minister held almost all portfolios with barely four-five ministers when they were in power,’’ he said.