Congress backs Chirag Paswan's assertion on 'prosperous' Dalits giving up quota

The Congress Party on Tuesday backed Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader Chirag Paswan's assertion that prosperous Dalits and the financially well-off from other sections should voluntarily stop availing quotas, saying that voluntarily relinquishment of such rights would certainly enhance the needs and the satisfaction of those who really deserve it.

"It is not which must be dismissed out of hand. Voluntarily applied, it would lead to benefit for the core, deserving beneficiaries," Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi told ANI.

"I don't know the full meaning and implication of what he said. But yes, voluntarily relinquishment of such rights certainly enhances the needs and the satisfaction of those who really deserve it," he added.

Meanwhile, Janata Dal (United) leader Pawan Verma taunted Paswan over his remark, saying that he should first apply the same to himself.

"Perhaps if he is saying that well-off people should give up quota then he should do that himself because they are certainly prosperous," he told ANI.

The LJP legislator had earlier in an interview to a leading national daily said that the people coming from decent financial background should leave reservation as that would help others from their community avail the opportunity to grow and do better.

Paswan also said that he really hoped for the emergence of a "casteless" society.