BENGALURU: With the Karnataka government lobbing the ball of classification of Scheduled Caste (SC) quota into the central government’s court, it will likely be a key issue in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in certain states, especially Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The Karnataka cabinet on Thursday decided to recommend an amendment to Article 341(3).
“The previous BJP government, led by Basavaraj Bommai, did its job within the framework of law and Constitution. The Centre will fulfil its responsibility after going through the state’s proposal,” said Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi in Bengaluru on the sidelines of a BJP ST community rally. With this, he obliquely sent out a message that the Central government is in favour of quota within quota.
As the SC right community, to which AICC president Mallikarjuna Kharge belongs and that identifies with Congress, BJP is now attempting to woo the SC left community, which has been fighting for the classification of reservation for decades. The community’s significant numbers play a crucial role in the Lok Sabha elections, political pundits said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi too hinted at fulfilling the community’s demand as he showed up along with the Madiga Reservation Porata Samithi (MRPS) leader Mandakrishna Madiga at a rally during the Telangana assembly polls.
Since the matter is before a seven-judge bench of the Supreme Court, which started its scrutiny of the case in January this year, it is to be seen whether the Modi government will go with the court’s verdict or try to amend Article 341(3), he said.
Sources said that 11 states in the country are in favour of the classification of SC quota. Ahead of the May assembly polls, Congress had promised the people that it would implement the Justice AJ Sadashiva Commission report recommending the classification of SC quota. With the Lok Sabha elections round the corner, the Congress government has made a tactical move, placing the responsibility at the Centre’s doors as BJP and its alliance partner JDS were likely to raise this issue.
Congress has given an impression that it has done its job. It has to be seen how castes with the SC community will react, political analysts said. Except the SC left and a few others, all castes, including Bhovis and Lambanis, are against the classification. They are also sympathisers of BJP, they added.
Gowda questions Kharge over reservation
Hassan: Criticising Congress leaders for often stressing the importance of social justice and the recent decision of the state cabinet to recommend the classification of SC quota for amendment of Article 341 (3) of the Constitution to the Centre, former PM HD Deve Gowda questioned Grand Old Party leaders, including AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, over allegedly opposing the private bill on reservation in the Assembly when Gundu Rao was the CM. Gowda said Kharge, who sat in the second row, rushed to the MLA holding bill copies, and snatched them, tearing them to shreds. Gowda alleged that Kharge threw the shreds at one Thippeswamy, as he was ready to table the bill in the House. The Congress and Opposition leaders witnessed this drama. Gowda said it is unfortunate that Congress leaders talk about social justice and reservation, but are really mum over the latter issue. Recalling decisions of his administration as the CM, Gowda said he provided reservation for minorities by snatching some portion of what was provided to Vokkaligas.