Ramanagara, Apr 18 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today said that discussions during the cabinet meeting on the caste survey were inconclusive and denied that any member had opposed it or spoken aggressively, as reported in some sections of the media. "Whatever is being reported is a lie," he said.
The CM was addressing media personnel on Friday, clarifying reports surrounding the cabinet discussion on the socio-economic survey held yesterday.
Siddaramaiah stated that the cabinet meeting had not concluded its deliberations on the matter. He added, "The discussion did not conclude over the caste survey. The discussions were incomplete in yesterday’s Cabinet meeting. No one opposed it, and as reported, no one spoke aggressively."
The Chief Minister emphasised that the matter will be revisited in the next cabinet meeting, with further discussions scheduled.
"It has been kept for discussion in the next cabinet," Siddaramaiah confirmed, urging the public and media to refrain from drawing conclusions prematurely.
This clarification comes in the wake of several media reports suggesting tensions within the cabinet over the issue, claims that were dismissed by Siddaramaiah as baseless.
Meanwhile in Kalaburagi, Karnataka BJP President Vijayendra Yediyurappa accused the Siddaramaiah-led state government of conducting an "unscientific" caste survey, pointing out that several cabinet ministers within the ruling Congress party have openly opposed the findings, while some have denied making objections.
Speaking to reporters, Vijayendra demanded the immediate rejection of the controversial report, calling it unreliable, politically motivated, and divisive. "Several cabinet ministers have opposed this report," he said, emphasising the lack of consensus within the government itself.
Vijayendra also highlighted the widespread dissent the caste survey has sparked among both the government and the public.
"Communities, including the Jain community and Other Backward Classes (OBC), have raised objections to the figures. In fact, every community is contradicting the numbers shown in the report," he added.
The BJP leader further alleged that despite the state government spending over Rs 150 crore on the survey, no enumerators visited people's homes to collect data. "There is no clarity from the Chief Minister on how the government arrived at its conclusions. The state government proceeded without a proper methodology," Vijayendra said.
Accusing the Siddaramaiah government of using the caste survey report to divide communities for political gain, Vijayendra stated, "The report is based on data that is over 10 years old. This shows that the government is more interested in creating divisions than in addressing the real issues that affect the people of Karnataka."
Reaffirming the BJP's stance, Vijayendra called for the immediate rejection of the caste survey report and urged the government to conduct a fresh, scientifically credible survey to assess the socio-economic status of the Backward Classes.
"If the Chief Minister is truly serious about delivering justice to the Backward Classes, he must initiate a fresh and credible survey," he asserted.
The socio-economic survey has been a topic of significant political debate, with various factions of the state government closely monitoring developments.
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