With the Samajwadi Party government playing the “Muslim card” by deciding to fix 20 per cent quota for minorities, mainly Muslims, in 85 development schemes, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati on Wednesday alleged that there was an understanding between the SP and the BJP. It appeared that the government, by taking the decision, was trying to provoke the BJP to disturb the communal atmosphere wherein both the parties would benefit in the next general election.
In a statement released from New Delhi on Wednesday, she also slammed the Akhilesh Yadav government for “failing” to control the law and order situation. “The government is trying to divert attention from its failure to control law and order and communal riots, which have angered Muslims,” she said.
In its manifesto for the 2012 Assembly elections, the SP had promised that on the basis of the Sachar Committee recommendations, separate reservation on the basis of their population would be given to Muslims as was the case with Dalits. The SP manifesto had also promised that government institutions would be set up in Muslim majority areas. But the government’s decision was not in tune with the promises made in the manifesto.Not to be outdone, the Congress also launched an attack on the SP for “misleading” Muslims. Chairman of the Minorities Department of Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee Maroof Khan described the move as eyewash to divert attention from the government’s failure. The decision was taken under duress as the SP feared Muslims would desert it in the Lok Sabha election.
The promise of giving separate reservation to Muslims was yet to be fulfilled; more than 30 communal riots had taken place under the present regime and innocent Muslims in jails were yet to be released, Mr. Khan noted.
