A day after the Rajasthan Assembly passed a Bill for granting reservation to the poor in general category, the BJP today indicated its support for similar benefits to economically backward among upper castes.
The “tactical” move by BJP Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on providing reservation to Gujjars and economically backward upper castes seems to be part of the saffron party’s long-term strategy on the sensitive issue.
Reaffirming commitment to existing quota policy, senior party leader Prakash Javedekar said the additional reservation cleared by the Rajasthan Assembly was over and above mandated by the Constitution. “The present 49.5 per cent reservation for SC/ST/OBCs is not negotiable. It is based on economic, social and educational backwardness,” he said. He said development of poor among those who are not getting the benefits of reservation, besides Dalits and backwards, was also a key aspect of the BJP’s concerns and programmes.
“Today’s 50 per cent reservation is not negotiable. What further affirmative actions can be taken is a different issue,” he said, insisting that more quota would not eat into the existing pie for the general category as 14 per cent reservation given by the Raje government was meant for poor among these groups.
Political observers believe the saffron party is hoping to dispel notion that the BJP is against reservation and appease Bihar’s upper caste.
The “tactical” move by BJP Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on providing reservation to Gujjars and economically backward upper castes seems to be part of the saffron party’s long-term strategy on the sensitive issue.
Reaffirming commitment to existing quota policy, senior party leader Prakash Javedekar said the additional reservation cleared by the Rajasthan Assembly was over and above mandated by the Constitution. “The present 49.5 per cent reservation for SC/ST/OBCs is not negotiable. It is based on economic, social and educational backwardness,” he said. He said development of poor among those who are not getting the benefits of reservation, besides Dalits and backwards, was also a key aspect of the BJP’s concerns and programmes.
“Today’s 50 per cent reservation is not negotiable. What further affirmative actions can be taken is a different issue,” he said, insisting that more quota would not eat into the existing pie for the general category as 14 per cent reservation given by the Raje government was meant for poor among these groups.
Political observers believe the saffron party is hoping to dispel notion that the BJP is against reservation and appease Bihar’s upper caste.
