Minority sub-quota: BJP, Congress trade charges over SC refusal

The BJP and the Congress crossed swords after the SC refused to stay Andhra Pradesh HC order quashing 4.5% sub-quota for minorities.

The BJP and the Congress crossed swords after the SC refused to stay Andhra Pradesh HC order quashing 4.5% sub-quota for minorities.

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Accusing the Congress of appeasement of minorities and adopting “divide and rule” policy, BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said “they (Congress) do not have the conviction to run this country on an agenda which will benefit all.”

Sitharaman quoted an earlier high court observation that the Centre had acted in a "casual manner" in the matter and criticised its Office Memorandum, which created the sub-quota on religious criteria.

She said: “the Congress has been steadfastedly and continuously following the communal agenda. We saw it in the UP polls. In spite of the results in these elections giving the message that voters have rejected the communal agenda, Congress has not learnt its lesson.”

Reacting sharply to it, Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said he was “suprised to hear the word communalism from BJP” adding the Opposition party is “Sultan of communalism”.

Tewari said, "There is nothing unusual in it(court order). Nothing much should be read into it...if Court has made any observation, the central government will look into it. The government will present its position before the court.