File Photo: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat
BJP today distanced itself from RSS leader its ideological mentor, insisting it was against any such review as it sought to stave off Lalu Prasad's attempts to rally the backwards around in high-stake Bihar polls following Mohan Bhagwat's remarks.
As the RJD chief attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, wondering if he will finish reservations "at his master Bhagwat's bidding," BJP said it respected 100 per cent the reservation rights of SCs, STs and other backward castes as it was essential for their social and economic development and empowerment.
"It is BJP's firm commitment since Jan Sangh days that reservation is essential for social and economic development and empowerment of SCs, STs, backward and extremely backward castes. BJP is not in favour of any reconsideration of reservation being extended to these groups," senior party leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said addressing a press conference.
Mr Bhagwat's pitch for a review of reservation policy has prompted the alliance of Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad to mount a counter attack on the BJP-led NDA, which is trying to dent the grand alliance' strong backward castes support base .
Mr Prasad, also Union Communications Minister, said a discussion was welcome on what further can be done for the poor and "left over" backward communities who have not been able to reap benefits of development, while insisting that BJP was all for the existing benefits to continue.
"BJP indeed is very clear and very categorical that there is no need to reconsider reservation nor does BJP support it (such demand)," he said.