Members of the Karnataka Pradesh Kuruba Sangha’s district unit staged a protest in Kalaburagi on Thursday saying that pressure was mounted on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to step down from office.

Hundreds of members of the community and supporters gathered at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (SVP) Chowk under the banner of the organisation and raised slogans against the Congress high command.

Protesters formed a human chain at the busy junction for some time disrupting vehicular movement before taking out a procession to the Deputy Commissioner’s office.

Tension prevailed briefly near the Deputy Commissioner’s office as protesters and police personnel engaged in a heated argument and jostling.

Some protesters also burnt photographs of Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Mallikarjun Kharge and Randeep Singh Surjewala to vent their anger.

Addressing the gathering, Karnataka Pradesh Kuruba Sangha district president Gurunath S. Pujari questioned the attempts to unseat Mr. Siddaramaiah.

“What is the reason for trying to remove a Chief Minister who introduced the guarantee schemes and implemented them effectively? AHINDA communities overwhelmingly supported the Congress because Siddaramaiah was projected to continue as Chief Minister till 2028,” he said.

He claimed that Mr. Siddaramaiah’s leadership and support among backward communities played a decisive role in bringing the Congress to power in Karnataka.

“If Siddaramaiah resigns, the Congress will face serious setbacks in future elections,” he warned.

Another leader, Lakshman Pujari, described Mr. Siddaramaiah as a committed leader who worked for the upliftment of backward classes.

“After Devaraj Urs, Siddaramaiah is the leader who introduced several welfare schemes for marginalised communities. The Congress will suffer politically if he is removed,” he said.

Leader K.G. Pujari urged the Congress leadership to allow Mr. Siddaramaiah to complete a full five-year term as Chief Minister stating that any move to replace him will send a wrong message to secular and backward class communities.

Working president Sayabanna Pujari, general secretary Mallikarjun Marabool, Ravigouda Kattimani, Tippanna Vaggar, Hoovanna Vatavati, Basavaraj Ambalagi, Nagendrappa Pujari, Bhimashankar Bangargi and Prabhudev Yalasangi were among those who participated in the protest.