Karnataka Cabinet Approves 4% Reservation For Muslim Contractors, Amends KTPP Act

BJP leader and former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad alleged that the reservation was introduced with the “full patronage and approval” of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. “(chief minister) Siddaramaiah neither has the courage nor the political capital to announce the reservation on his own. There is competitive vote-bank politics at play,” he said at a press conference in Delhi.

Prasad further warned that the Congress’ approach to reservations was setting “new precedents” that could have broader implications. “What is the limit to this appeasement politics? Will there be separate queues for Muslims for reservations in movies and train tickets?” he asked.

Referring to recent electoral losses faced by the Congress, Prasad said, “Despite several defeats, they never reassess their approach.” He also cited former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s remark that Muslims have the “first right” over the nation’s resources and claimed that Rahul Gandhi has “even surpassed that.” “He said Congress is a party of Muslims. He went to America and said the Muslim League is a secular party. (Muhammad Ali) Jinnah is gone but left-back those who are doing Jinnah’s politics,” Prasad said,