A Congress promise of reservation for backward Muslims has kicked up a row with the BJP calling it a ‘last desperate’ act on its part to get some votes, a charge rejected outright by the Congress which said it has not come out with any supplementary manifesto.
“Congress has not come out with any sub-manifesto,” Telecom and law Minister Kapil Sibal said at AICC briefing, maintaining that the issue of sub-quota for backward Muslims is pending in the Supreme Court and as long as the matter is not resolved there the party cannot do anything. He was asked about reports that the Congress has put on its website a sub-manifesto in a fresh minority pitch promising quota reservation in jobs for backward Muslims.
The party had put out these suggestions under the caption “Suggested Policies and Programmes for Consideration of Congress Government (2014-2019): Empowerment of Minorities” almost two weeks ago. Under the subtitle “The Detailed Action Plan 2014-2019”, the party said that the Congress-led UPA Government has taken steps to address the conditions of backward minorities by providing for reservation in education and institutions and in Government employment.
“These are only suggestions made in the process of public consultation. We have put it before people. When the Congress comes to power, we will take it forward. These are suggested policies and programmes, which have come up at the open manifesto consultation process.“These are suggestions for consideration, when the Government comes to power. When we are open to it, we have a right to consider it as and when the Supreme court decides it. This is the best possible way. There is nothing wrong with that ... There is no appeasement ... We must respect the sentiments of the public,” Sibal said.
When told that that these are not mere suggestions as the Congress had announced a minority sub-quota before the Assembly elections in UP as well, Sibal said, “Yes, we had announced it even in UP but the matter is pending in the Supreme Court. How can we do it unless the Supreme Court decides it.” He added that in some States like Andhra Pradesh, reservation has been made for backward minorities.