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Ready for BJP tie-up if it backs Muslim quota: Jagan

April 28, 2011 00:30 IST

YSR Congress President Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday said he was ready to join hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party if the saffron party supports reservation for Muslims. "So far, I do not have any allegiance with BJP. But if BJP agrees to support reservation for Muslims at the national level, I will join hands with them," he said.

Jagan was addressing a gathering of the minority community members at Proddatur town, 55 km from Kadapa, ahead of the May 8 by-poll to Kadapa Lok Sabha seat, where he is one of the candidates.

The former member of Parliament said he is prepared to have tie-up with any political party, including BJP, for the welfare of Muslims. "My father (YSR) and myself are symbols of credibility in the state politics. I am announcing that I will have alliance with any political party, including BJP, which works for the welfare of Muslims," he said.

The Congress party, which poses as caretaker and protector of Muslims, is unable to tolerate YSR Congress' popularity among the community in Kadapa, he added.

Jagan criticised the Congress for appointing a House Committee to look into alleged irregularities in land allocation made by the government headed by his father. Later, he participated in road show in Proddatur.