NEW DELHI: A heated war of words erupted over Congress's "sub manifesto" promising to work towards a 4.5% quota for "backward" Muslims in OBC reservations with BJP slamming the proposal as a "desperate" bid to garner votes and Congress saying it has a right to consider the demand.
BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad termed the proposal as "the most corrupt example of communalism" and said, "There is no provision of a separate quota on religious basis in the OBC category. A matter is pending in the court in this regard, but Congress has issued a supplementary manifesto."
Congress's new documents, posted under the manifesto link on the party's website, were reported in Friday's edition of the TOI. Congress sources said the documents were framed before the polls began and is not a "mid poll" move.
BSP leader Mayawati too pitched in, saying promise of a sub-quota for Muslims is an attempt to pull wool over the eyes of minorities and claimed a similar provision was provided during her stint as UP CM in 1995.
Telecom minister Kapil Sibal defended Congress against the charge of "appeasement" and said the party has not come out with a sub-manifesto. But he accepted that Congress is committed to move forward on the quota proposal as well as issues like extending scheduled caste status to all "dalit minorities" irrespective of religious affiliation.
"These are suggestions for consideration, when the government comes to power. When we are open to it, we have a right to consider it as and when the Supreme Court decides it. This is the best possible way. There is nothing wrong with that ... There is no appeasement ... We must respect the sentiments of the public," Sibal said.
Both the proposed 4.5% sub quota for Muslims in the OBC list as well as the issue of extension of dalit status to Muslims and Christians are before the apex court and any government will have to wait for the outcome. But the Congress document promises to pursue it in court and look for a way forward on these issues.
Congress has released documents detailing plans for minorities, dalits, women, youth in its "Suggested Policies and Programmes for Congress government (2014-19)" and though the party's reactions indicated some discomfort over the charge of playing to the minority vote, there was no distancing from the suggestions.
"These are only suggestions made in the process of public consultation. We have put it before people. When Congress comes to power, we will take it forward. These are suggested policies and programmes, which have come up at the open manifesto consultation process," said Sibal.
Prasad attacked the reference to extending dalit status to "dalit Christians and Muslims", saying the proposal would apply to Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha seats. He said BJP is opposed to relaxing the religion bar — currently only Hindus and neo-Buddhists can claim dalit status — but demanded SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati should also clarify their stand on the issue because there was a supreme court — mandated ceiling on reservations, capping them at 50%.
Source: TOI
BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad termed the proposal as "the most corrupt example of communalism" and said, "There is no provision of a separate quota on religious basis in the OBC category. A matter is pending in the court in this regard, but Congress has issued a supplementary manifesto."
Congress's new documents, posted under the manifesto link on the party's website, were reported in Friday's edition of the TOI. Congress sources said the documents were framed before the polls began and is not a "mid poll" move.
BSP leader Mayawati too pitched in, saying promise of a sub-quota for Muslims is an attempt to pull wool over the eyes of minorities and claimed a similar provision was provided during her stint as UP CM in 1995.
Telecom minister Kapil Sibal defended Congress against the charge of "appeasement" and said the party has not come out with a sub-manifesto. But he accepted that Congress is committed to move forward on the quota proposal as well as issues like extending scheduled caste status to all "dalit minorities" irrespective of religious affiliation.
"These are suggestions for consideration, when the government comes to power. When we are open to it, we have a right to consider it as and when the Supreme Court decides it. This is the best possible way. There is nothing wrong with that ... There is no appeasement ... We must respect the sentiments of the public," Sibal said.
Both the proposed 4.5% sub quota for Muslims in the OBC list as well as the issue of extension of dalit status to Muslims and Christians are before the apex court and any government will have to wait for the outcome. But the Congress document promises to pursue it in court and look for a way forward on these issues.
Congress has released documents detailing plans for minorities, dalits, women, youth in its "Suggested Policies and Programmes for Congress government (2014-19)" and though the party's reactions indicated some discomfort over the charge of playing to the minority vote, there was no distancing from the suggestions.
"These are only suggestions made in the process of public consultation. We have put it before people. When Congress comes to power, we will take it forward. These are suggested policies and programmes, which have come up at the open manifesto consultation process," said Sibal.
Prasad attacked the reference to extending dalit status to "dalit Christians and Muslims", saying the proposal would apply to Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha seats. He said BJP is opposed to relaxing the religion bar — currently only Hindus and neo-Buddhists can claim dalit status — but demanded SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati should also clarify their stand on the issue because there was a supreme court — mandated ceiling on reservations, capping them at 50%.
Source: TOI
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