Amid BJP’s attempt to corner Congress over reservation for Muslims in Karnataka, former CM Siddaramaiah said the Congress is committed to increasing the reservation limit from the current 50% to 75%. Making a case for a caste-based Census, the senior Congress leader said his party will also increase reservations for all castes based on their population.
On the other hand, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday held a massive roadshow here, waving at a large enthusiastic crowd along the route, as he sought people’s support, ahead of the May 10 Assembly polls in Karnataka.
“If Congress comes to power, they will take back all these reservations (hiked) and once again bring in Muslim reservations. Do you want 4% Muslim reservation? (to come back)”, he asked.
Former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai have done a lot of work for Karnataka, he said, adding that the BJP government has ended 4% Muslim reservation and has increased the quota of Vokkaligas, Lingayats, and SC/STs.
With Congress looking to consolidate SC and OBC votes, the party has reignited the issue of caste census in the past few days. Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made an aggressive pitch for a caste-based census and the removal of 50 per cent ceiling on quota in his recent speech in Karnataka’s Kolar, in a bid to turn the tables on the BJP that had been gunning for him over his 2019 “Modi surname” remarks alleging that he insulted OBCs.
The Congress even said it will ensure 80% of jobs in Karnataka to local people in both the public and private sectors. “We believe that law and Constitution is sacrosanct and cannot be violated by individuals and Organisations like Bajrang Dal, PFI or others promoting enmity or hatred, whether among majority or minority communities. We will take decisive action as per law including imposing a ban on any such organisations,” the Congress manifesto said.
