Sena welcomes Bhagwat's views on quota, takes potshots at BJP

The Shiv Sena has welcomed Rashtriya Swayamswevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat's call for a review of reservation policy while taking potshots at the Bharatiya Janata Party for rushing to disown the views of the head of its ideological mentor, saying the party appears to be wary of an "electoral jolt" in Bihar polls.

"Political parties who call themselves as saviours of the victimised class have vehemently opposed Bhagwat's comments. While attacking Bhagwat, they have their eye set on Bihar polls. Even the BJP called a hurried press meet and distanced itself away from his comments. It seems that the politics of Bihar must have been behind BJP's response to Bhagwat," Sena said in an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana' on Wednesday.

It also noted the Land Acquisition Bill has portrayed the BJP an "anti-farmer party" which might also have repercussions in the Bihar polls.

"At such a time, has the fear of an electoral jolt in the midst of Dalit-Maha Dalit politics forced the BJP to distance itself from RSS chief's statements? Questions have now been raised over the BJP's attitude towards the RSS," it said.

The Sena said Babasaheb Ambedkar too had called for a review of the reservation guaranteed by the Constitution after 10 years depending upon the prevailing circumstances. Bhagwat had only supported Ambedkar's views.

"The BJP has distanced from Bhagwat's views for political reasons. But we (Sena) have nothing to do with it. Bhagwat has only said what people feel and we welcome his stand," the Sena said.

Bhagwat had recently, in an interview to Sangh journals 'Organiser' and 'Panchjanya', held that the issue of reservation has been used for political ends and suggested setting up of an apolitical committee to examine as to which categories require it and for how long.

He said though "interest groups" do get formed in democracy, aspirations of one section should not be met at the cost of others.