Ramadoss flays Lalu for wavering on quota issue

"Lalu should lead the reservation issue. But he is oscillating. He speaks like an upper caste representative. I do not know why," he said.

Differences within the UPA coalition on reservation for OBCs in Central educational institutions came to surface on Wednesday with PMK leader S Ramadoss hitting out at RJD supremo Lalu Prasad accusing him of having "wavering ideas" on the issue.

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"Lalu Prasad should lead the reservation issue. But he is oscillating. He speaks like an upper caste representative. I do not know why," he said.

After a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last week on the issue, Prasad had said whatever decision the Government took on implementation of the new reservation proposal, his party would support. Prasad's remarks were interpreted as being in favour of staggered implementation of the proposal.

"The pity is no OBC leader from North India except Sharad Yadav has come forward to raise his voice on this issue," said Ramadoss, who met Oversight Committee Chairman Veerappa Moily to discuss the issue.

The PMK leader alleged that some OBC leaders were backing out on the issue after coming to power with the backing of the OBC people.