BJP hints at quota support for upper caste poor
24 Sept 2015 6:26 AM IST
The party, however, insisted it did not support any change in the existing reservation policy and the 50 per cent quota for the SCs, STs and backwards castes was “not <g data-gr-id="40">negotibale</g>”. “While keeping the 50 per cent quota intact, the development of poor among those who are not getting the benefits of reservation, besides the <g data-gr-id="41">dalits</g> and backwards, has been a key aspect of our concerns and programmes,” said Union Minister Prakash Javadekar.
He added: “Today’s 50 <g data-gr-id="37">per cent</g> reservation is not negotiable. What further affirmative actions can be taken is a different issue.” Asked if the party wanted to amend the Constitution so that reservation could be extended even to upper castes on the ground of economic backwardness, he said: “This is not the issue right now.”
Quizzed if giving away more quota would not eat into the existing pie for the general category, he said 14 per cent reservation given by the Vasundhara Raje government was meant for the poor among these groups. Javadekar recalled that Raje as Chief Minister had taken a similar step during her previous tenure, but it was struck down by the judiciary. He said the party was “confident” it will pass muster this time.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat had recently suggested a review of the
reservation system, triggering a political storm ahead of the Bihar Assembly polls, following which the BJP and the Centre distanced themselves from his comments. RSS had also clarified that Bhagwat’s comments were not about the existing quota.
Sena welcomes Bhagwat’s views on reservation, takes dig at ally BJP
The Shiv Sena has welcomed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat’s call for a review of reservation policy, while taking potshots at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for rushing to disown the views of the head of its ideological mentor, saying the party appears to be wary of an “electoral jolt” in Bihar polls. “Political parties, who call themselves saviours of the victimised class, have vehemently opposed Bhagwat’s comments. While attacking Bhagwat, they have their eye set on the Bihar polls. Even the BJP called a hurried press meet and distanced itself away from his comments. It seems that the politics of Bihar must have been behind BJP’s response to Bhagwat,” Sena said in an editorial in its mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ on Wednesday.
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