Cong targets BJP-RSS, Modi over Bhagwat's quota review remark

Congress today launched a hard-hitting attack on BJP-RSS and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over Mohan Bhagwat's call for review of reservation policy, saying it was a "manifestation of anti-poor mindset".
The party's reaction came against the backdrop of two of its leaders -- Manish Tewari and Jitin Prasada -- criticising the existing quota policy.
Speaking to reporters, Congress communication department chief Randeep Surjewala said, "RSS-BJP combine continues to spread polarising divisive agenda to undermine the rights of deprived and the underprivileged, particularly the scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes.
"The latest interview of RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat in RSS mouthpiece Organiser calling the reservation principles enshrined in the Constitution as 'politicisation' as also for a review of reservation for the scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and backward classes is a manifestation of anti-poor mind set espoused by RSS and now by BJP since pre-Independence days," he said.

In an interview to RSS mouthpiece Organiser, Bhagwat had pitched for a review of the reservation policy, contending it has been used for political ends and suggesting setting up of an apolitical committee to examine who needs the facility and for how long.
Congress is contesting the Assembly elections in Bihar in alliance with Lalu Prasad's RJD and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD-U, which owe their origin to Mandal politics. Both the parties have taken serious umbrage to Bhagwat's remarks.

Surjewal's late night statement that the party was committed to the issue of reservation came even as senior party leaders Tewari and Prasada voiced their opposition to the current caste-based quota.

"Congress introduced the system of reservation for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes in government employment, educational institutions as well as elected bodies as part of affirmative action enshrined in India's Constitution.
"It is also Congress that introduced reservation for OBCs in government employment and educational institutions in the mid-1990s and later. The party is of the firm opinion that affirmative action in favour of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and OBCs must continue in order to deal with the discrimination imposed by centuries of subjugation and oppression," Surjewala said.