Vokkaliga legislators want their opinions discussed at April 17 cabinet meet

Vokkaligara Sangha warns of protests, legal fight

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Bengaluru

AHEAD of the special cabinet meeting on Thursday, Deputy CM and KPCC president DK Shivakumar held a meeting on Tuesday with Vokkaliga legislators from his party to discuss the Socio-economic and Educational Survey report, the fate of which will be decided in the cabinet.

Many of the legislators have expressed concern over the caste census report, reportedly showing a decline in the number of Vokkaligas and an increase in the Muslim population.

As many as 22 Congress legislators are from the Vokkaliga community, including Shivakumar himself, who is looking to keep his hold on the party as well as the community from the old Mysuru region.

Presently, former prime minister HD Devegowda and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy still have a hold in this region.

"With JDS losing its Muslim votes after its alliance with the BJP, they are trying to hold their only main chunk of votes - Vokkaligas from this region.