Mantri gives ally BJP Oct. deadline on quota issue

◗ Rajbhar said it has been planned to categorise 27 per cent reservation for OBC into three categories — backwards, more backwards and most backwards

Uttar Pradesh minister Om Prakash Rajbhar has asked the BJP to take a decision on quota within quota for Most Backward Castes by October 27, failing which his Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party ( SBSP) would be free to explore other options.

Mr Rajbhar told reporters that he had spoken to BJP president Amit Shah on this issue and the latter had assured him that a decision would be taken soon but no visible action has yet been taken.

“The dominant castes like Yadavs, Kurmi are taking all the benefits of reservation for OBCs and the most backward castes are deprived of the same”, he said. Mr Rajbhar said it has been planned to categorise 27 per cent reservation for OBC into three categories — backwards, more backwards and most backwards.

The 22.5 per cent reservation for SCs should also be divided into three categories— Dalits, more Dalits and most Dalits, he said.

Interestingly, Mr Rajbhar left the BJP redfaced on Monday when he supported the Bharat Bandh call given by the opposition.

“The country has a history of government falling due to price rise. The people have the real power and the BJP should realise this,” he said.

Mr Rajbhar has already opposed the changes in the SC/ ST Act. “I am against the amendment made by the government. It should not be misused. I am with the Supreme Court on this. Fights take place between two to four people but cases are registered against eight to ten,” he explained and added that the extent of misuse of the SC/ ST Act can be seen with the number of cases in which people have been booked.