BJP says it respects SC/ST quota

New Delhi: As the RJD supremo wondered whether the PM would finish reservations “at his master Bhagwat’s bidding,” the BJP said it respects 100 per cent the reservation rights of SCs, STs and other backward castes as it was essential for their social and economic development and empowerment.

Even BJP ally RLSP, a Bihar-based party, said reservation in India is a "settled issue" as mandated in the Constitution, “It is the BJP’s firm commitment since Jan Sangh days that reservation is essential for social and economic development and empowerment of SCs, STs, backward and extremely backward castes. BJP is not in favour of any reconsideration of reservation being extended to these groups," said Mr Prasad.

He added that a discussion was welcome on what further can be done for the poor and "left over" backward communities who have not been able to reap the benefits of development, while insisting that the BJP was all for the existing benefits to continue.

Slamming the RSS chief, the JD(U) said it amounted to "interference" and was an attempt to "weaken" the SCs, STs and other backward communities. "Janata Dal (United) totally rejects and condemns the proposal of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat regarding appointment of a committee to review the reservation policy of the SCs/STs and backwards," party general secretary K.C. Tyagi said in a statement.

The BJP, as a damage-control measure, also fielded its Bihar in-charge and national general secretary Bhupendra Yadav, who attacked Mr Lalu Prasad Yadav, saying the latter should first answer what benefits the backward castes, in whose name he has "practised" his politics and had brought in 15 years of RJD rule in Bihar. "What Lalu calls ‘mandal raj’ is seen as ‘jungle raj’ by the people of Bihar, and he should tell (us) how many schools and hospitals he had made for these communities," Mr Yadav said.

Mr Lalu Yadav had earlier on Monday, in a series of tweets, attacked the BJP and Mr Modi on the issue. "The so-called tea seller and recently-turned backward Modi should tell if he will finish reservations at his master (Mohan) Bhagwat’s bidding," he had said. In another tweet he had added: "You talk of doing away with reservation, we will increase it in proportion to the population. If you have drunk your mother’s milk, then have it scrapped, each would know his strength."