Congress tries to delay Reservation Bill amid debate in Parliament

New Delhi: As the BJP-led government tabled the 10% reservation bill for economically weaker sections in the Parliament, party president Amit Shah heaped praise on the Prime Minister and called it 'historic' and a 'lesson for political parties that have been practicing politics of appeasement'. 

However, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge asked speaker Sumitra Mahajan to take the Bill up in the next session of the Parliament, whereas the party has appeared to have supported the Bill in multiple forums.

This move made the BJP claim that the Congress is perturbed by the Bill brought up by the Modi government.

Meanwhile, while introducing the Bill in the Lok Sabha, Union minister Thawar Chand Gehlot said, "The Modi government is committed to sabka sath, sabka vikas", the 2014 election slogan of the BJP. The Bill - tipped to be a masterstroke to woo back voters from the general category, particularly the upper caste - seeks to provide reservation for the upper caste poor in all government jobs as well as jobs at educational institutions.

The Congress, while supporting the Bill, called it a 'mere jumla'. To provide reservation for the upper caste, the government has to amend Article 15 and 16 of the Constitution. The government requires the support of two-third members in both the Houses in order to do so.

Debating the Bill in the Parliament, Union minister Arun Jaitley explained that the 50% cap on the reservation is based on caste, and since the Bill proposes to allow reservation on an economic basis, the cap doesn't matter. Jaitley took a jibe at the communist parties in the House and said that this will be the first case in history when the government is planning to do something for the poor and the communists are opposing it.

Taking everyone by surprise, the Union cabinet on Monday had declared 10% reservation for economically weaker upper castes. 

Positions:
 

1. Congress: Questioned the timing, attributing motive. They even called it 'jumla'.

2. Aam Admi Party: Dared the government to bring and pass the Bill. Kejriwal called it a 'political stunt'.

3. Bahujan Samajwadi Party: Mayawati called it 'political gimmick', saying the timing is suspicious.

4. AIADMK: First ensure proper implementation of existing caste-based reservation. 

5. TMC: Why is the Bill being tabled 100 days before the general elections?

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