BJP leader C.P. Thakur on Saturday demanded an end to reservation in jobs and educational institutions, triggering a row.
The former Union Minister and BJP national vice-president was reacting to the Congress’s promise to provide reservation to socio-economically backward Muslims.
‘It’s a right’ Lok Jan Shakti Party (LJP) chief Ram Vilas Paswan, an ally of the BJP in the NDA, was quick to express his disagreement. “I do not agree with Thakur. Reservation is the right of Dalits and weaker sections of society in the country. Reservation should continue,” Mr. Paswan said.
The Congress and its ally the RJD also criticised Mr. Thakur. “Thakur has again exposed the BJP’s anti-Dalit and anti-weaker section mindset,” said Congress leader Satyavarat Chaturvedi.
