Mangalore: This is a widespread feeling in Mangalore city which has not given the Mayor’s post to a SC/ST candidate by right in this century. BJP has taken over MCC from Congress, but has not done justice to the backward communities possessive as it is towards Brahmins as in the case o Udupi ZP elections where Shailaja Bhat got through at the last moment as ZP chief.
It is the down trodden and backward people who approach MCC for a remedy to their infirmities, by way of a house, a job, or even a sear in a school for minimum education. But if the leader of MCC were to be a SC/ST perhaps that can help poor and backward class people to realize their dreams more than a higher caste first citizen, be she a woman of any religion. The SC/ST corporators from BJP have one or two more opportunities at present. A new Mayor is likely soon in MCC it will not support a SC/ST from Congress or any other party. The BJP city unit must make it possible to understand the situation and give direction to the corporators under the category provided by the state govt. to help SC/ST member to become the Mayor in Mangalore which has umpteen Castes and creeds, even languages in its civic society now.
The chosen SC/ST Mayor can not have an inferiority complex, brow-beaten by higher castes or those in large numbers in city, to do his job according to law uplift SC/ST communities whom we cannot name or pinpoint for their guidance, but such a Mayor should locate and support for betterment and greater opportunities in modern times. There are some such candidates in the race at present. The DK minister in charge has a duty to the local society to provide them answer.