Lalu Yadav's 'poora' Muslim quota remark draws vote bank jibe from PM

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Lalu Prasad Yadav's remark on extending reservation benefits to Muslims saw the BJP mounting a fierce criticism of the INDIA bloc, accusing it of appeasement politics.

RJD chief Lalu Prasad with wife and newly sworn-in MLC Rabri Devi

New Delhi,UPDATED: May 7, 2024 17:35 IST

Former Bihar Chief Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad stoked a controversy after he favoured "poora" (complete) reservation for Muslims, drawing criticism from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and its former ally JD(U).

Speaking to the media in Patna, Lalu Yadav alleged that the ruling BJP wanted to do away with reservations by scrapping the Constitution.

"Reservation toh milna chahiye Musalmano ko, poora... They (BJP) want to finish off the Constitution and democracy of the country," the RJD supremo said.

As his remarks triggered a political storm, Lalu Yadav put out a video message clarifying that the basis of reservation should not be religion but social backwardness.

"We implemented the Mandal Commission recommendations. Has Narendra Modi ever read them? The Mandal Commission recommendations provide reservations for more than 3,500 backward castes, including many from other religions."

Referring to the BJP, the Bihar CM said, "They are not a bigger and truer OBC than me. They do not understand the poor, the backward and Dalits more than me. They only make them fight."

The former Bihar Chief Minister's remark has added dimension to the reservation issue that has seen the BJP and the Congress engaging in heated debate amid the Lok Sabha elections.

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BJP, PM MODI TAKE FRESH 'APPEASEMENT' SWIPE AT INDIA BLOC

The BJP pounced on Lalu Yadav's remarks to accuse the Opposition of not being able to see "beyond appeasement". Prime Minister Narendra Modi, campaigning in Madhya Pradesh, latched on to it to hit out at the RJD chief, calling him a "fodder scam accused".

"They (Opposition) can't see beyond appeasement. If it comes to themselves, they will even take your breathing rights away," PM Modi said.

"A fodder scam accused leader who is out on bail is advocating reservations for Muslims. He (Lalu Prasad) says reservations should be given to the Muslims, and that means whatever reservation SCs/STs and OBCs have, they want to give it Muslims," the Prime Minister said.

BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said the RJD chief's remarks made it clear that the INDIA bloc, if voted to power, would provide reservations to Muslims by making changes in the Constitution's fundamental structure.

"This word, 'pura ka pura' (full), used by him in his statement, is very serious. This makes it clear that they (INDIA bloc) want to provide reservations to Muslims from the share of SCs, STs and OBCs," Trivedi said while addressing a press conference.

"This also makes one more thing clear that, for the RJD, Muslims have become primary and Yadavs secondary," Trivedi further said.

EX-ALLY JD(U) ALSO SLAMS LALU YADAV

The RJD's former ally JD(U) also took potshots at the RJD supremo, saying Yadav's stand violated the basic spirit of the Constitution as well as the Mandal Commission report.

The Mandal Commission was established in 1979 with a mandate to identify the socially or educationally backward classes in the country.

Lalu Prasad was part of the movement for the implementation of the Mandal Commission report that recommended reservations for the socially and educationally backward sections among Hindus as well as Muslims.

Tyagi said religion could never be a criterion for extending quota benefits.

"Such a statement is tantamount to a conspiracy against the backwards who get reservations due to their social and educational backwardness," PTI quoted JD(U) spokesperson KC Tyagi as saying.

Published By:

Abhishek De

Published On:

May 7, 2024

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