Angry Dalits key in deciding PM: Raut

Dalits, who are “angry” with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, will play a key role in deciding the country’s next prime minister, and back Congress president Rahul Gandhi for the slot, party leader Nitin Raut has said.

Newly-appointed chairman of the Congress’ SC department Raut said Dalit youth will be attracted to Gandhi’s leadership for a positive future rather than other non-BJP/NDA leaders, including those representing the community.

He also dismissed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent claim that his government has honoured Dalit icon BR Ambedkar like no other previous dispensation. Raut charged Modi and the BJP with issuing such statements only eyeing votes.

“Dalits, especially the community youth, are feeling angry... They are being denied educational, employment opportunities which never happened when the Congress was in power. This anger will make Dalits play a key role in deciding the next prime minister,” Raut told PTI.

There are 84 parliamentary seats which are reserved for the scheduled castes across the country.

The BJP had won more of these seats than any other party in the 2014 general elections. “We will try to win maximum seats possible in 2019 based on the works governments led by our party had done for the Dalits...” he said.

NEWDELHI: