BJP demands Karnataka CM’s resignation and apology on the ground that decision to take up fresh caste census shows earlier data collection was flawed

Former minister V. Sunil Kumar termed the decision by the Congress government to take up a re-survey as an effort to divert public attention from the demand for resignation of the Chief Minister in the wake of the stampede during the RCB’s victory celebrations in Bengaluru. that claimed 11 lives. 

Alleging that the Congress high command’s decision to order a re-enumeration with respect to the caste census citing concerns over data had exposed Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who had vouched for authenticity of the data, the opposition BJP demanded that he should apologise and also submit his resignation. 

“The Chief Minister had been hoodwinking people of Karnataka with a false claim that the caste census data is accurate. He had remained stubborn with respect to data though the opposition parties, some leaders within the ruling Congress, and various communities had raised objections. Now, it is time for him to quit as his own party high command has sought a resurvey,” argued BJP’s OBC face and former minister V. Sunil Kumar. 

Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru on June 11, Mr. Sunil Kumar urged the Karnataka government to desist from taking up a re-survey while pointing out that the Centre had already announced its decision to take up a caste census along with the general census within the next six months.

“As there is no constitutional validity for the caste census of Karnataka, it is better for the State to co-operate with the Centre in conducting the caste census instead of taking up such a process again,” he said. 

Pointing out that the Chief Minister had said that the State Government would complete the re-survey within 90 days, he maintained that it is not possible to stick to such a deadline. “We have already seen that the Congress government has extended the deadline for survey of SC communities thrice as it was unable to complete it within the given time-frame. That being the case, is it possible to complete the survey of the entire 7 crore population of the State within 90 days?”  

“The CM’s 90-day deadline is not for completing the re-survey, but for him to quit to make way for transfer of power,” Mr. Sunil Kumar remarked. 

Pointing out that ₹165 crore had been spent on conducting the caste census, he urged the Chief Minister to own up to squandering public money, and to desist from again squandering taxpayers’ money for a re-survey.