Hyderabad: K Laxman, Telangana BJP president, on Tuesday termed the NDA government’s decision to provide quotas to the economically backward classes as historic. He said it would eliminate inequalities in the society.
“Some parties say this is election stunt, the decision was taken in a political angle. The parties were in power. Why you could not do it? Strange thing is, there are great people who sought not 10 per cent, but 20 per cent for poor in upper castes,” he told reporters.
He further added that the decision was not a new one made by Narendra Modi. Former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao made an effort when he was in office, but the Supreme Court had struck it down then.
The Supreme Court had said it would have no objection to give reservation if it is proved that economically backward sections in upper castes are less in number in government jobs and educational institutions. But the Congress did not act on it and indulged in divisive politics, claimed Laxman.
“BSPs late supremo Kanshi Ram and Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav had also spoken in favour of providing reservations to the poor in upper castes,” he added.
The Telangana BJP members objected criticism against the Centre government that the move to provide quotas to economically backward sections was an election stunt.
Slamming AIMIM president for his comments that the Constitution does not permit reservations on the basis of economic backwardness, Laxman said, even though religion-based reservation is not there in the Constitution, Owaisi had sought increase of reservation to Muslims from 4 to 12 per cent.
The TRS government, which had proposed increase in quotas for backward Muslims, should not provide reservation on the basis of religion, said Laxman.
He demanded withdrawal of ordinance issued by the Telangana government reducing reservation for backward classes in local body polls.