Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Mar 23: The Janata Dal (Secular) has stated that it will not support its alliance partner BJP's protest against the 4% reservation for Muslims in government tenders.

JD(S) leaders have instructed their MLAs to stay away from the protest and have asked JD(S) legislature party leader Suresh Babu to clarify this stance if questioned by the media, according to a report by Deccan Herald.

"We will not compromise on the party's principles and ideology. JD(S) will support the BJP on issues like price rise, failure of guarantee schemes, misgovernance, and corruption. However, the 4% Muslim reservation was a policy introduced by JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda. Hence, JD(S) will not support the BJP on this matter," party sources confirmed.

Leader of the opposition R Ashok said, "The BJP will hold discussions with JD(S) on this issue. JD(S) should also protest against Muslim reservation."

BJP state president B Y Vijayendra has announced a statewide campaign to raise awareness about the injustice faced by Hindus under Congress rule, arguing that Muslim reservation is unconstitutional. "We will take this fight against Congress to a logical conclusion. We will discuss it with party leaders and launch an agitation soon," Vijayendra said.