Quota stir on: BJP invites Jat leaders for talks

Concerned over the fallout of the conflagration as the community holds sway in western Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and parts of Delhi, Shah and Home Minister Rajnath Singh held talks with the party’s Jat faces separately and discussed possible measures to douse the fire.

“In a way, there is an atmosphere of anarchy (in Haryana). I appeal to the people leading the agitation to hold talks with our leadership.... Youths who are at the forefront should also join talks. I appeal, pray to the people of Haryana to maintain peace and harmony,” Union Minister Birender Singh said.

Singh, party’s most notable Jat leader from Haryana, was joined by another Union minister Sanjeev Balyan, who has emerged as the party’s face from the community in western UP, Haryana cabinet minister OP Dhankar besides party General Secretary and state in-charge Anil Jain.

Singh blamed Congress for the crisis, saying it announced reservation for Jats without due diligence due to “political reasons”, following which the Supreme Court quashed the decision.

Meanwhile, BJP chief has asked prominent Jat leaders from Haryana to find out the ways to resolve the stir. Union Rural Development Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh may play the role of a mediator between the government and the protesters. The party leaders Sanjeev Balian, OP Dhankhad, Ramlal and Anil Jain are also part of the team which initiate talks with Jats. The party leaders have also briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the developments.

In another development, the Centre on Saturday asked Haryana government to provide security to people and property by ensuring law and order.

This was conveyed by Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha to Haryana Chief Secretary DS Dhesi and DGP Yashpal Singhal at a meeting held through video conferencing.

“The Cabinet Secretary reviewed the prevailing situation in Haryana and took inputs from the Chief Secretary and DGP.

He asked them to ensure protection to people and property by maintaining law and order,” a senior government official said.

Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and others senior officers were present in the meeting.