Senior BJP leader Murali Manohar Joshi on Monday took a strong exception to the introduction of sub-quota for minorities in other backward class (OBC) category by the Congress-led UPA government ahead of elections in five states.
Joshi, who was here to exchange notes with the RSS functionaries, urged the election commission to intervene into the matter.
He said that such a quota for any religious minority is unconstitutional and its announcement before the state elections was highly objectionable. “The election commission should intervene and ensure that such sops should not be passed for any section ahead of the elections. It is for its credibility,” he pointed out.
Presently, some Muslim backward classes are included in the 27 % reservation meant for OBCs. As per the new provision, a sub-quota of 4.4 % has been fixed for minorities that include Muslims and Christians.
He said announcing it just a couple of days before of the announcement of the state elections is a gross misuse and abuse of power. “It is obvious that the announcement was made with an eye on the ensuing state elections,” he said and slammed “vote bank politics of the Congress.”
He continued, “Such a reservation would badly affect the genuine OBCs as their quota would be divided.” The constitution is very specific to provide such reservation to the last man on the ladder and minimize the social and educational inequality. BJP will always support reservation for socially underprivileged people, but would always oppose reservation for the religious minority.
{{/usCountry}}He continued, “Such a reservation would badly affect the genuine OBCs as their quota would be divided.” The constitution is very specific to provide such reservation to the last man on the ladder and minimize the social and educational inequality. BJP will always support reservation for socially underprivileged people, but would always oppose reservation for the religious minority.
{{/usCountry}}The senior BJP leader also criticized the election commission for its move to monitor the conduct of Gandhian crusader Anna Hazare and his team members during the assembly elections to be held in five states. “This is highly objectionable. How can election commission object anyone’s views on a particular party or credential of any candidate?” he asked.
Joshi ridiculed union minister Narayan Swami’s statement for dealing Hazare with iron hand, if the veteran Gandhian launches hunger strike again.
He also criticized the proposed Lokpal bill that proposes reservation for SC, ST, minority and women. “If it’s a constitutional body how should there be reserved posts?” he added, saying that there were several loopholes in the bill.