NEW DELHI: With Jat stir bringing Haryana to a standstill, the BJP said it was ready to hold talks with the community to accept their demands.
The ruling party brought forward its Jat leaders who have been asked to engage with the agitating organisations.
BJP chief Amit Shah, Home Minister Rajnath Singh held talks with the jat leaders and MPs belonging to the BJP so that a strategy could be drawn to stop further deteroation of situation in the state.
BJP deputed union agriculture minister Birender Singh, who belongs to the state to do the talking. Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Singh said,
"In a way, there is an atmosphere of anarchy in Haryana. I appeal to the people leading the agitation to hold talks with our leadership.... Youths who are at the forefront should also join talks. I appeal, pray to the people of Haryana to maintain peace and harmony."
BJP’s other Jat leaders Union minister Sanjeev Balyan, Haryana cabinet minister O P Dhankar besides party General Secretary and state in-charge Anil Jain.
Birender Singh, who shifted to BJP from Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in 2014, blamed Congress for the crisis in the state. Congress had earlier announced reservation for the jats, but it was struck down by the Supreme Court. “Congress gave reservation without due diligence due to political reasons, following which the Supreme Court quashed the decision,” the minister said.
Birender Singh tried to allay apprehensions that his party was not for reservations.
The central government and the party are exploring ways to see to it that Jats get reservation, the leaders said.