Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Bhubaneswar for the two-day BJP National Executive.
Highlights
- Inclusiveness needed for backward among Muslims: PM Modi
- Centre planning new bill for constitutional status to backward commission
- The bill has been passed in Lok Sabha but blocked in the upper house
Prime Minister Narendra Modi intervened during a discussion on the backward commission at the BJP's National Executive today, saying more inclusiveness is needed for those who are backward among the Muslim community. The PM, who is leading the conclave in Odisha, had spoken at the strategy session for the new bill meant to give constitutional status to the backward commission, which was to replace the National Commission for Backward Classes set up through a law in 1993.
"In many regions, there are Muslims who are backwards. The party and governments should ensure that they benefit from the new look backward commission which has been given a constitutional status," the Prime Minister said.
Through the bill, Parliament was also given a free hand to include any community as backward - unlike the current system in which the commission takes a call. Over the years, it has seen communities demanding jobs and reservation make a beeline for courts.
Security was tight at Lingaraj Temple in Bhubhaneswar ahead of PM Modi's visit.
But the bill, though, passed in Lok Sabha, has been blocked in the upper house, where the opposition has the numbers. Demanding further discussions on it, the opposition has sent it back to a select committee.
Today, the BJP vehemently criticised the opposition for stalling the bill.
"The OBCs have been demanding constitutional status to the Commission for 30 years. However, the Congress did not do it as it preferred votebank politics," said Human Resource and Development Minister Prakash Javadekar. "The bill has been sent to the Select Committee. It is unfortunate," the minister said.
PM Modi took out time to visit Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar.
In its two-day National Executive, the BJP is drawing up a strategy to increase its political footprint "from panchayat to parliament" across the nation.
The choice of venue - Odisha capital Bhubaneswar - indicates the state's high position on the party's priority list.
The state is barely two years away from its next assembly election and the party, which won 300 panchayats in February, compared to ruling Biju Janata Dal's 400, thinks a majority in assembly is an achievable target.