Reservation policy should be reviewed, says former Bihar CM Manjhi

Former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, whose party is a constituent of the NDA, called on Monday for a review of the reservation policy and also announced that he and his family would not use it to their advantage in the next assembly or Lok Sabha elections.

Former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, whose party is a constituent of the NDA, called on Monday for a review of the reservation policy and also announced that he and his family would not use it to their advantage in the next assembly or Lok Sabha elections.

Former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi at Bihar Niwas in New Delhi on Sunday.(PTI Photo)

“I strongly feel that reservation policy must be reviewed because in lack of such a review, those who actually require the reservation are not being benefited,” said Manjhi, who heads the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM).

He said the real situation could not be assessed because a comprehensive review of India’s reservation policy has not taken place.

“My entire family won’t take advantage of reservation in the next elections. Whoever would contest the elections, it would be done under general category,” he said.

Quoting a CAG report, he cited the Nitish Kumar-led state government’s inability to utilise the funds, “meant for development”, from the central government.

He also criticised the current state government over the increasing rate of crime.