Demands for Reservation Need to be Taken Seriously: Union Minister Kalraj Mishra

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: Amidst demands for reservation in the country, a senior minister in the BJP led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has said that these have to be taken "seriously" while striving for a solution to the issue through debate.

"Demand for reservation is rising in many states and agitations are being held for the same. This should be taken seriously and a debate should be held on the issue to reach a solution," senior BJP leader and minister for micro small and medium enterprises, Kalraj Mishra.

Clarifying the party's stand on reservation, the minister said that the BJP believes that reservation is important for the development of certain groups.

Mr Mishra said, "BJP firmly supports the constitutional reservation for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, other backward classes and extremely backward classes. We believe that reservation is important for the social, education and economic development of these groups."

On Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat's statement regarding the reservation policy that has sparked a row in political circles, Mr Mishra blamed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of misinterpreting it.

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"Bhagwat's statement was in reference to Patel reservation demand in Gujarat and it was misinterpreted by Nitish and blown out of proportion for political gains. They are trying to mislead people on the issue for mileage in polls." said the minister.

Asked about his expectations vis-a-vis the NDA alliance in the upcoming Bihar polls, Mr Mishra said they would get an absolute majority and claimed that even the opposition grand alliance had realised that.

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The minister said, "Due to the rising popularity of NDA in Bihar, grand alliance constituents are demoralised. They are resorting to gimmicks to win over the people, but it will not work. We will get absolute majority and form the government."