RSS signal on Modi’s retirement is BJP’s golden chance to name dalit PM: CM Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru, Jul 17 (PTI): Claiming that RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat has already signalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political retirement on turning 75, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said this was the BJP’s "golden chance" to make a Dalit the next Prime Minister.
He was responding to Karnataka BJP President B Y Vijayendra, who had challenged the Congress to announce its president Mallikarjun Kharge as its Prime Ministerial candidate to prove its commitment to backward classes and SC/STs.
"Mallikarjun Kharge is not just the AICC president but a respected statesman. His rise is not the result of playing a 'Dalit card' but of decades of dedication, integrity, and public service. He never needed political patronage. And let me be very clear: in the Congress, it is our party that decides who our PM candidate will be—not the BJP," Siddaramaiah said.
Urging Vijayendra to focus on his own party instead of wasting time talking about the Congress, Siddaramaiah said in a statement, "Mohan Bhagwat has already signalled Modi’s retirement, now that he is 75. This is the BJP’s golden opportunity to make a Dalit the next Prime Minister. Let the initiative start with you."
"Instead of lecturing others, why don’t you propose a Dalit leader as the BJP’s Prime Ministerial face? Whether it’s Govind Karjol or Chalavadi Narayanaswamy (state BJP leaders), if you propose their names, I’ll be the first to congratulate you," he added.
"But I have no illusions. The BJP’s treatment of Dalits and backward classes has always been tokenistic. Your history and hypocrisy speak for themselves," he said.
Highlighting the BJP’s record of appointing OBC and SC/ST leaders as CMs in various states, Vijayendra had said on Wednesday, "Congress and Siddaramaiah make speeches. I challenge them—if they genuinely care about OBC or SC/ST communities, let them announce Mallikarjun Kharge as their Prime Ministerial candidate. Let’s see."
"It won’t happen. The Gandhi family won’t allow it—neither Rahul Gandhi nor Sonia Gandhi will accept it," the state BJP chief had claimed.
Calling Vijayendra “a state president who cannot even secure the stability of his own chair,” Siddaramaiah alleged "it was laughable that he had the audacity to advise Congress on its Prime Ministerial choice."
"This isn’t just ignorance and self-deception—it’s arrogance and entitlement," he claimed.
He asked, "If Vijayendra has the habit of reading, he should familiarise himself with the BJP’s record on backward classes, Dalits, and minorities. Take the shameful case of Bangaru Laxman—a Dalit leader elevated to party president, only to be disgraced with corruption charges and jailed. That humiliation led to his death. Who was responsible for that?"
The BJP often flaunts the name of President Droupadi Murmu, Siddaramaiah pointed out, "But why has the BJP never projected her as Prime Minister?"
"They boast about making A P J Abdul Kalam the President. Yet, can Vijayendra explain why the BJP does not have a single Muslim MP in the current Lok Sabha? Why wasn’t even one Muslim given a ticket in the last election?"
If proof is needed of how the BJP sidelines backward class leaders, Siddaramaiah said, "Look at Karnataka—S Bangarappa, a prominent backward class leader, was politically finished by your father B S Yediyurappa. Now, you are trying to end the political career of his son, Kumar Bangarappa. Father and son have made this their family mission."
"Be it Bangarappa or Narendra Modi, their safety within the BJP lasts only as long as they remain subservient to its casteist Hindutva agenda. Modi surely knows this uncomfortable truth himself," he claimed.
Asking Vijayendra to step down as BJP state president and offer the role to a Dalit leader if he truly cares about dignity and representation, Siddaramaiah said, "If you're struggling to find a name, I’ll suggest one—Govind Karjol. Though he now parrots your party line, I’ve worked with him and can vouch that he is fundamentally a decent man. If you or your party have the courage and conviction, declare Karjol as BJP’s state president and your Chief Ministerial face for Karnataka."
"But I know you won’t. The BJP’s sole purpose is to use Dalit leaders to defame others while ensuring they never rise to positions of real power or respect within the party," he claimed.
Mr. @BYVijayendra, the BJP State President who cannot even secure the stability of the very chair he occupies, has the audacity to advise the Congress on who should be our Prime Ministerial candidate. This is not just a display of his ignorance and self-deception, but also an… pic.twitter.com/uwyyLVeoNd
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) July 17, 2025
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MEA reports more than 200 Indians enlisted in Russian military since 2022; 26 deaths confirmed
More than 200 Indian nationals have joined the Russian armed forces since 2022, with 26 are confirmed dead, MEA—The Ministry of External Affairs have informed the Upper house of the Parliament: Rajya Sabha.
In a written response, the Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, has stated that at least 202 Indians are reported to have joined the Russian army. Among these recruited personnels, 26 have lost their lives; while, seven individuals have been reported missing by Russian authorities. He added that the remains of two deceased Indian nationals were cremated in Russia.
Singh noted that the sustained diplomatic efforts by the Indian government have led to the early discharge of 119 individuals. He further added that the discussions are going smoothly with the Russians to secure the release of the remaining personnel, with efforts underway to facilitate the early discharge of 50 more Indian nationals.
According to the minister, the Union government is in contact with Russian authorities to ensure the safety, welfare, and prompt return of Indian citizens serving in the Russian army. The issue, he said, is being addressed at multiple levels, including interactions between senior leaders, ministers, and officials of both countries.
The said disclosure was made in response to queries raised by Saket Gokhale, the MP of Trinamool Congress, and Randeep Singh Surjewala, the MP of INC, regarding the number of Indians allegedly recruited into the military service in Russia; Along with the details of deaths and missing persons reported since 2022.
