Synopsis
The BJP has strongly denounced the Karnataka government's decision to allocate a 4% reservation in government tenders to Muslims, citing potential national repercussions and accusing it of vote bank politics. The controversy arises amidst claims of discrimination against other minority communities and concerns over constitutional validity.Key Takeaways
- BJP criticizes Karnataka's 4% reservation for Muslims.
- Former Minister Prasad links decisions to national implications.
- Tejasvi Surya labels it unconstitutional and a move to incentivize conversion.
- Discontent among other minority communities over funding disparities.
- Amendments to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act proposed.
Bengaluru, March 16 (NationPress) The Congress party, currently in power in Karnataka, is steadfast in its plan to allocate a 4 per cent reservation in government tenders for Muslims within the state. In response, the BJP has strongly criticized this governmental action.
On Saturday, the BJP asserted that this reservation for Muslims in government tenders could have serious national repercussions, recalling that similar issues contributed to the Partition during India’s Independence.
Former Union Minister and senior BJP figure Ravi Shankar Prasad held a press conference on Saturday, stating, "The Karnataka government’s 4 per cent reservation for Muslims has been enacted with the complete backing of the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi."
“We are making this declaration with full accountability,” Prasad stated.
He emphasized that the Karnataka government's action reflects the political mindset of Rahul Gandhi.
He further pointed out that this issue extends beyond Karnataka, having national implications. According to him, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah neither possesses the courage nor the political strength to make such a reservation announcement independently, claiming it is driven by vote bank politics.
“During the freedom struggle, minor issues like separate electorates and universities ultimately led to the division of India during Independence,” Prasad highlighted.
Meanwhile, the National President of BJP Yuva Morcha and Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya took to social media X, declaring, “The Congress government’s cabinet approval to allocate 4 per cent quota for Muslims in government tenders is an affront to the constitution and an act of promoting conversion.”
“The focus should be on social and economic backwardness rather than religious lines. This new tactic for electoral benefits undermines the essence of reservation,” Surya criticized.
“This government is abusing its power and public resources for vote bank politics, turning our economy into a realm of political opportunism,” Surya asserted.
In a severe critique of the Congress-led Karnataka administration, Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution, and Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi stated on Saturday that “this decision reeks of populism.”
Joshi also remarked on social media X, accusing, “The Congress government in Karnataka is engaging in anti-constitutional actions. The state government is favoring one religion due to its vote bank strategy and has overlooked its responsibility to safeguard all communities.”
Joshi added that the Congress government has already driven the state into economic turmoil but is now indulging in anti-constitutional policies that hinder the overall progress of the state.
He mentioned that the Congress party has practiced appeasement politics for six decades, prioritizing vote bank interests over national development.
Even now, he asserted, the Congress is proving that its name is synonymous with appeasement.
B.Y. Vijayendra, the State BJP President, claimed that Congress is steering the state toward violence.
He questioned the Congress-led government, asking, "Does the grand old party believe that only Muslims represent the minority demographic?"
Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka pointed out that the Congress government has allocated Rs 150 crore for Waqf Property restoration, Rs 500 crore for Urdu Schools, and Rs 1,000 crore for Minority Colony Development. He stressed that these allocations, along with the reservation based on religion, contradict the Constitution established by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
Furthermore, Minister Zameer Ahmed has been advocating for increased reservations, prompting the Jain community to organize protests against this move, as stated by Ashoka.
“The Jain, Buddhist, and Sikh communities have received only Rs 10 crore collectively, which has been criticized as discrimination within minority groups,” he remarked.
The decision by the Karnataka government to provide a four per cent reservation to Muslims in government contracts has ignited significant controversy. Sources have confirmed that the Cabinet approved this proposal, and a Bill regarding this matter will be introduced in the State Legislature during the ongoing Budget session.
The Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act of 1999, once amended, seeks to offer a four per cent reservation in tenders to Muslim contractors for government contracts valued up to Rs 1 crore, sources noted.
The State Cabinet has also expanded the limit for the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) communities from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2 crore.
Minority leaders had previously requested a four per cent reservation for Muslim contractors akin to that provided for SCs, STs, and Other Backward Communities.
Taking this request into account, the state government has resolved to implement the reservation.
A Cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah discussed the introduction of the Bill.
The Karnataka government has been deliberating the introduction of a four per cent reservation for Muslims in civil contracts, similar to those established for SCs, STs, and Other Backward Classes.
