Mysuru: “By the time next Assembly elections are held in 2028, there will be a de-limitation of Assembly segments and SC/ST communities will get more seats to  contest the elections. Hence, members of Nayaka community must forge unity to get suitable political representations,” said BJP leader M. Appanna.

He was speaking at a function organised by ‘Maharshi Prabhuddha Vedike’ at Rotary Auditorium on JLB Road recently to felicitate achievers from various fields.

“Nayaka community can get political power only when we maintain our unity. There will a de-limitation of wards before 2028 Assembly elections and it is likely that the number of Assembly Constituencies may reach around 300. SC/ST communities will get more number of reserved Constituencies. Both men and women of our community will get reservations. We need to organise ourselves and engage in areas like education, employment and politics. Nayaka community should daily remember persons like Maharshi Valmiki, Basavanna, Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar,” he said.

Ruing the lack of unity among community members, he said though the community has more number of educated persons now, there is no unity among the community and as a result of this they are not getting prominent positions in politics.

“Other communities have exhibited unity. There is no proper political representation for our community members in South Karnataka. Though India has a significant population of ST communities, they are scattered,” he regretted.

Cultural thinker Dr. Prashanth  Nayak, former Chairman of Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation S.C. Basavaraj, community leaders J.M. Javara Nayaka, M. Ramachandra, Ningaraju N. Beltur, Venkatesh Kyatamaranahalli and others were present.