Cong, SP favour separate reservation for EBCs

Congress, SP and LJP sought to woo the extremely backward castes by favouring separate reservation for them and promising adequate political representation to such groups.

With assembly elections and Lok Sabha polls approaching, Congress, SP and LJP today sought to woo the extremely backward castes (EBCs) by favouring separate reservation for them and promising adequate political representation to such groups.

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Attending a rally organised by Vishwakarma community, here today, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit (Congress), Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan (LJP) and former UP Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav (SP) highlighted the contributions of the community members and sought steps to uplift their status.

Promising to give the community representation in the national politics, Yadav claimed, "SP is the only political party in Uttar Pradesh which has taken steps to promote these castes."

Demanding separate reservation for the EBCs, Paswan said, "there are separate arrangements for reservation for EBCs in few states. But there is no such arrangement at the Centre. After this rally, the community should pass a proposal seeking separate reservation for most backward classes."

Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit also supported the demand for creating a separate EBC group among the OBCs saying it is a right demand. "It's my feelings that the demands will not only be heard but also fulfilled. I will consider all the demands of the community after the polls."

She, however, chose not to make any promise on the community's demand for a ticket in the upcoming assembly polls in Delhi.

"We will definitely think over it. At times we feel ashamed that we fail to distribute tickets as we should do," she said.