The Janata Dal (Secular) legislative party leader and former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has announced that it will consider having Deputy Chief Ministers from among women, Dalits, and minorities, and the party is not averse to a Chief Minister from a minority community if the situation demands.

Kumaraswamy, who is leading the party’s Pancharatna yatra in the state for the last week, spoke about this in Kolar, as he addressed the media on Tuesday (22 November).

‘If JD(S) comes to power independently in the coming election, there is an opportunity to make a member of the Muslim community our chief minister,’ said Kumaraswamy, as reported.

Kumaraswamy has said that JD(S) aims to win 123 seats in the 2023 Karnataka election.

The JD(S) has announced its list of candidates for 100 constituencies for the 2023 Karnataka election soon.

‘If Kumaraswamy goes to Delhi, CM Ibrahim has said he himself may become the chief minister. A chance to even have a such discussion is only possible in our party,’ he added.

‘Muslims are our own people. They are citizens of Karnataka they are Kannadigas too. And this is not about giving a person an opportunity but addressing the issues of that community,’ said Kumaraswamy.

He added, “I intentionally announced that my party is ready to make a woman and a Dalit leader deputy chief minister as no party is trying to address problems of women and dalits.”

The Janata Dal (Secular) is trying to retain its traditional Vokkaliga vote base in southern Karnataka.

Kumaraswamy’s statement is expected to invoke a sharp reaction from the political parties in Karnataka. It may be noted that communal tensions have been on the rise in Karnataka over issues like hijab ban, halal meat, Bajrang Dal activist Harsha murder and the controversy over Tipu Sultan.

Image source: The Hindu