Lok Sabha polls 2024 | BJP firm on decision to scrap Muslim quota: Bommai

Former Prime Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday said the BJP was steadfast in its decision to scrap the 4% quota for Muslims and the quota ball is now in the Congress court.

Bommai told reporters here: “Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is lying on the Muslim quota issue, and that too when the matter is in the Supreme Court.”

“We never told the Supreme Court that we would scrap the Muslim quota or continue with it. Siddaramaiah’s aide Ravivarma Kumar had moved the top court challenging our decision. He did this on the orders of Siddaramaja. The court has yet to hear the case. We will plead our case in court,” said the former chief minister and BJP candidate from Haveri-Gadag Lok Sabha segment.

“The BJP government had made it clear that the decision to abolish Muslim quota would not be implemented until the matter was disposed of in the court. Our position still stands even today. The opposition Congress had then opposed our decision. The question now is whether the ruling Congress will continue with the quota,” Bommai wanted to know.

The constitution does not allow reservations based on religion. Despite no provision being made, around 24 Muslim communities have been placed in the 2A quota category. The top court has quashed the Andhra Pradesh government’s decision on religion-based reservation. The ruling Congress is now in a sticky situation and they are trying to pass the buck to the BJP as they always do, Bommai said.