Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (KM/SM)
 
Mangalore, Sep 13: The number of reserve constituencies in Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) has remained the same, in spite of the population growth in the scheduled caste and tribe, said P Keshav, convener of Mysore division of Karnataka Dalitha Sangharsha Samithi (Ambedkarism), at a press conference here on Thursday September 13.
 
Briefing  press persons he said that the preparations of notifications has been unscientific and many attempts have been made to curb dalit leaders and leadership, directly and indirectly.
 
Though statistics are old and are almost outdated, the number of the reserve constituencies has not been increased, he alleged.

Giving the statistics of the reserve constituencies, the convener added that the MCC consisted of 51 wards in the year 1984 and among those only 3 were reserve wards for the scheduled castes.
 
In 1991, when nine wards were added to existing fifty one, the increase in the reserve constituencies was not carried out. This shows the absolute failure of the political parties to provide political rights to scheduled caste and scheduled tribes.

Hence the Karnataka Dalitha Sangharsha Samithi (Ambedkarism) has decided to support candidates from scheduled castes and tribes contesting the upcoming elections irrespective of political parties they represent, the convener informed.
 
The committee has also condemned the diversion of the Netravati River. It has called upon like-minded organizations to join hands, to protect the interests residents of the district.

Sunder Naik and Monappa D Salian, district organizing conveners, S Sudhakar, president of Babu Jagajeeven Ram Sevice Society and Prema, member of Women Self Help Group were present at the press conference.