Mysuru: Dropping senior Congress and dalit leader Srinivas Prasad from Cabinet, the Congress party could have a tough time in Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts, where both the districts combined together have 12 lakh dalit votes.

According to sources, former minister Srinivas Prasad is known as good worker and well respected in other parties as well. Apart from this he is also known as a dalit leader. In Mysuru district alone there are nearly 8 lakh people belonging to dalit while there are more than 4 lakh dalits in Chamarajangar district. Since he was dropped from cabinet, his supporters especially dalit followers, staged protest both in Mysuru and Chamarajanagar district. The supporters even observed Nanjangud and Chamarajanagar bandh and raised slogans against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Congress high command.

Srinivas Prasad also came down heavily against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Speaking to media persons, he mentioned that during difficult times, he helped Siddaramaiah and when he became the Chief Minister of the State, he forgot the past. Srinivas Prasad also mentioned that Siddaramaiah is not having any gratitude.

According to reliable sources, on Monday Union Minister GM Siddeshwar visited Srinivas Prasad’s residence. There are rumors that Prasad may join BJP or BSP. Already many senior BJP leaders have spoken to Prasad.

During media interaction, former minister Ambareesh also pointed out that he was surprised about the ouster of Srinivas Prasad. “Srinivas Prasad is known for his sincerity and honesty. When the party can drop such a leader, what we can expect from party. Before dropping the ministers including senior leaders like Srinivas Prasad, they should have told us that the party wants to give opportunity to others and hence make way for them. Definitely we would have happily resigned and would have made way for others” said Ambarish.