How could you demand Muslim quota in govt jobs: BJP to SP

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday asked the Samajwadi Party how it could demand reservation for Muslims in government jobs while opposing quota for SC/ST promotion and cautioned that this may lead to the demand for reservation on religious lines in Parliament and state Assemblies as well.

"The Samajwadi Party has opposed reservation in promotion for Dalits but is demanding a quota for Muslims in government jobs. On what basis are they demanding minority reservation... Isn't this a patent case of votebank politics," BJP chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

He maintained that since the inception of the Indian Constitution more than six decades ago, reservation can be given only to Dalits following Hindu religion.

"Reservation in government jobs cannot be given to Muslim Dalits or Christian Dalits. Under the Constitution, which was drafted by B R Ambedkar, only Hindu Dalits can get the benefit of reservations," Prasad said.

The BJP warned that there are several "dangers" in adopting a policy of giving reservation on the basis of religion. "Doing so can also lead to MPs and MLAs asking for reservation of seats in Parliament and state assemblies on basis of religion. BJP strongly opposes this demand," he said.

The main opposition took a dig at SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and said he may change his stand on reservation for Muslims if Congress brings CBI pressure on him. Yadav is facing charges of disproportionate assets, which are being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

BJP's Lok Sabha MPs, especially those from Uttar Pradesh, have been unhappy about the party's support to the quota bill as they feel their upper caste vote bank is at the receiving end of this proposed legislation and the electors will leave them. The SP is the clear beneficiary here while the BSP will strengthen its hold over the SC voters, they felt.