PM says Opposition wants to snatch reservations from SCs, STs and OBCs to offer to Muslims; Lalu Prasad counters that BJP wants to scrap the Constitution
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad on Tuesday sparred over the issue of reservations for Muslims, with Mr. Modi accusing the Opposition of being unable to look “beyond appeasement” after Mr. Prasad had supported the idea of reservation for Muslims.
Hours later, Mr. Prasad clarified that he was in favour of extending reservation benefits to Muslims on the basis of social backwardness and “not on the basis of religion”.
The issue of reservation and the Constitutional provisions have headlined the election campaign of both the INDIA bloc and the NDA so far. While the INDIA bloc leaders have argued that the BJP is seeking a tally of 400 plus seats in the Lok Sabha to end reservations to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes, the BJP has argued that the Congress wants to snatch reservations from SC, STs and OBCs to include Muslims.
“A person who has been serving sentences for eating up fodder meant for cattle (a reference to the fodder scam), who is out on bail because of poor health, has said just a few hours ago that reservations should be given to Muslims. The gentlemen is revered by the Congress. Just look at their brazenness,” Mr. Modi said at an election rally in the Dhar region of Madhya Pradesh.
This story was originally published in thehindu.com. Read the full story here.