Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Mar 18: Former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai has accused the Congress government of violating constitutional principles by granting reservations to minorities in government tenders. He claimed that this move was unconstitutional, created unrest in society, and was aimed at strengthening the Congress vote bank.

Speaking to the media in New Delhi, Bommai alleged that the Karnataka government under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was misleading the Backward Classes. He warned that Congress would face consequences for this decision in the coming days.

"The state government has allotted 4% reservation to minorities in government tenders, which is unconstitutional. We had removed it, and now the matter is pending before the Supreme Court. Despite knowing this, the government falsely claims it is providing reservations to Backward Classes when, in reality, it is granting them to minorities. This is both unconstitutional and illegal," Bommai asserted.

He further pointed out that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar had explicitly stated during the drafting of the Constitution that reservations should not be based on religion. "By granting such reservations, Congress is violating Ambedkar’s fundamental principles and the core values of the Constitution," he said.

Bommai also accused the Congress of historical attempts to undermine Ambedkar, claiming that the party had fielded wealthy candidates against him in elections to defeat him. He alleged that then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru personally campaigned against Ambedkar, while leaders like Savarkar did not. "Congress is now trying to distort history to safeguard its party interests, but such efforts are neither justified nor meaningful," he remarked.

When asked about the controversy surrounding alleged encroachments cleared by Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Bommai defended him, stating that Kumaraswamy had already clarified his stance and that the Karnataka government was indulging in political vendetta.

Responding to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s remarks against the RSS, Bommai asserted that the organisation was founded on the principles of service and had emerged during British rule to advocate for the rights of marginalised communities.

"Siddaramaiah repeatedly targets the RSS to consolidate his vote bank. However, the entire nation knows what the RSS has stood for over the past 77-78 years. Even Indira Gandhi had praised the RSS, and senior Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee participated in an RSS event and spoke there," he claimed.

Bommai further stated that Siddaramaiah, not being an original Congress leader, felt the need to prove his loyalty to the party by making frequent attacks on the RSS. "He is using the RSS as a tool to reinforce his leadership, but people understand the truth," he concluded.