Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing a public rally in Mumbai.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today firmly ruled out a rethink on the reservation policy as he laid the foundation for a memorial to B R Ambedkar at an event boycotted by Shiv Sena ministers after their leader Uddhav Thackeray was not invited.
Invoking Mr Ambedkar's legacy on the eve of the first phase of Bihar polls, the Prime Minister categorically ruled out scrapping of reservations in government jobs and educational institutions, and assailed "a group of liars" for the false propaganda that it is facing threat under the BJP-led dispensation at the Centre.
"Every time when a BJP government is in power, a group of liars spreads the malicious propaganda that we are out to scrap reservations...It happened during the Atal Bihari Vajapayee government's time as well," PM Modi said addressing at a well-attended public meeting.
"Falsehood must stop. Terrorising society must end. This is not politics," PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister's assertion came a day ahead of the first phase of Bihar polls where reservation is a hotly-debated topic following following RSS chief's Mohan Bhagwat's call for a reivew.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad have been quick to latch on to Bhagwat's remark to claim there was a sinister attempt to do away with reservations for the backward classes and weaker sections.
Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena ministers skipped the event where PM Modi performed the ground-breaking ceremony for a memorial for Mr Ambedkar as its chief Uddhav Thackeray was not invited, reflecting the growing chasm between the saffron partners of Maharashtra's ruling coalition.
"The Sena ministers were invited for the event, but the BJP has shown a narrow mindset in the name of protocol by not inviting (Sena president) Uddhav Thackeray. He was not even kept in the loop about the invitees from our party for the event," a senior Sena leader said, requesting anonymity.