H.K. Patil, a senior Congress leader and former minister, has publicly stated that he is not seeking a cabinet position based on caste considerations. He emphasizes that his past achievements and positions within the party and government are the result of merit, not caste quotas.
Patil directly addresses claims made by Umesh Patil, the president of the All-India Veerashaiva Mahasabha Youth Wing, who questioned Patil's belonging to the Veerashaiva Lingayat community and his eligibility for a cabinet post.
In a letter to the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, G. Parameshwara, Patil reiterates his commitment to merit-based advancement within the party and government. He highlights that he has consistently received support from party leaders based on his accomplishments and not due to his caste. Patil contrasts his approach with that of others who engage in caste-based politics for positions.
Senior Congress leader and former Minister H.K. Patil on Wednesday said that he is not an aspirant for a Cabinet berth with the brand of caste.
“I have not tried to get positions under the caste quota. Such circumstances have not come to me. I secured positions on the basis of merit. I have not encouraged any caste politics”, he said.
Mr. Patil took a dig at the All-India Veerashaiva Mahasabha Youth Wing’s president Umesh Patil’s statement that he (H.K. Patil) does not belong to the Veerashaiva Lingayat community to claim a Cabinet berth.
In a two-page letter to G. Parameshwara, president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, Mr. Patil said the party leaders have supported him on the basis of merit and provided various positions in the government and the party. “Now also I am not seeking any position on the basis of caste”, Mr. Patil, who was Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister in the Siddaramaiah government, said.
Noting that he and his party colleague and former Minister Ramalinga Reddy belonged to the Reddy community, Mr. Patil said those who have no merit have been doing caste politics and seeking positions under the caste quota.
Published - May 23, 2018 05:47 pm IST
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