Congress gets ready to face angry allies

But there's trouble over creamy layer

After its initial euphoria over the Supreme Court judgment upholding reservation in seats for other backward classes (OBCs) in central educational institutions, the Congress has started preparations to face its allies who are unhappy over the exclusion of the "creamy layer" from the benefit.

"We have to see the details of the judgment. We need to talk to our allies as well. However, we need to keep in mind that the Supreme Court is the final institution to interpret the law of the land. We can't challenge its decision," External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told Business Standard.

The problem for the Congress is that almost all its allies favour quota for the "creamy layer" as well.

The allies, like K Karunanidhi's DMK, Lalu Prasad's RJD and Ramvilas Paswan's LJP, all along pressured the government not to give up on the issue while the matter was being heard in the court. According to a top party leader, while the Congress was not averse to excluding the "creamy layer," the allies prompted the government to take a different stand.

"Overall, the judgment is a welcome relief for our party, but our concern is with the apex court's reiteration on the 'creamy layer' issue. In a coalition, we have to keep in mind the interests of allies," said a senior Congress leader.

Significantly, the CPI(M) has welcomed the exclusion of the "creamy layer". Party MP Sitaram Yechury said this was consistent with his party's long-term stand. However, another ally, the CPI, has joined the chorus in favour of the "creamy layer." The CPI is part of the DMK-led government in Tamil Nadu.

Other OBC-dominated parties not allied to the Congress have also raised a battle-cry. "The reservation policy has to do with educational and social backwardness and nothing with economic backwardness. Thus, it is not fair to exclude the 'creamy layer,' who are probably the only ones to go beyond high school among the OBCs," said Sharad Yadav of the JD(U).

"It is a very significant judgment as it upholds the most remarkable, laudable initiative of the government, of the Congress party," said All India Congress Committee (AICC) spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi.

The BJP is not ready to give away all the credit. "All parties voted for the quota when the Bill was cleared in Parliament," said BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar.

"It is everyone's victory, the BJP has always seen this as part of its social justice mission," he said. He added the main political beneficiary of the judgment would be the BJP since "we have the largest number of OBC MPs and leadership."

While supporting the order, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati proposed that similar provision be made for the economically backwards among the upper castes and religious minorities. She said she would soon write to the prime minister on this.