Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, March 24: Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel and JD(S) president H D Kumaraswamy has strongly criticised the Congress party for allegedly creating reservation-related chaos across the country.
He also clarified his party’s stance on the 4% Muslim quota in government tenders, asserting that attempts to create divisions within the JD(S)-BJP alliance over the issue would not succeed.
“The Congress party is creating reservation-related chaos across the nation. Reservation should not be religion-based but must be founded on social justice. This is the unwavering stand of the JD(S),” Kumaraswamy said, while refuting claims that JD(S) and BJP were at odds regarding the opposition to the Congress government’s decision to introduce a 4% quota for Muslims in government tenders.
Kumaraswamy pointed out that reports circulating in certain newspapers and media outlets were inaccurate. “Reports published in certain newspapers and media channels are far from the truth,” he stated.
The union minister also provided insight into the discussions within the NDA alliance, revealing that before the commencement of the legislative session, an NDA ‘Coordination Committee’ meeting was held in Bengaluru. The meeting thoroughly examined all issues, and a strategy to oppose the government was formulated. “I personally participated in that meeting,” he confirmed.
Accusing the Congress government of undermining the reservation system for political gain, Kumaraswamy said, “Congress is misleading the people of Karnataka by using reservations as a tool for appeasement. The party is creating reservation-related chaos across the nation.”
He emphasised that JD(S) and the BJP had worked together in several people-centric struggles in the past and would continue to do so in the future. “There is no question of compromise on this. All communities that are educationally, economically, and socially backward must receive equal opportunities and benefits. However, appeasing one specific community while marginalising many others is unjust. This is an insult to the Constitution,” he remarked.
Kumaraswamy further reiterated that JD(S) firmly believes reservations should not be based on religion, but on the foundation of social justice. He criticised the Karnataka government, stating that the current situation in the state represents a battle between appeasement and the marginalisation of oppressed communities.
“The Congress government, solely for electoral gains and vote-bank politics, is ruining the reservation system, which is based on the ideal concept of social justice. Turning reservation into a tool of appeasement is misleading the people. Across the nation, the Congress party is creating chaos with reservations,” he claimed.
Kumaraswamy reaffirmed that there was no truth to the suggestion of discord between JD(S) and BJP in their opposition to the Karnataka government’s decision to provide a 4% contract reservation for Muslims. "There is no question of non-coordination or disagreement between JD(S) and BJP in this fight," he concluded.