In an editorial, the Shiv Sena took a dig at the BJP for distancing themselves from RSS chief's remarks on reservation.
Welcoming the call for review of reservation policy by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief, Mohan Bhagwat, the Shiv Sena, today took a dig at the BJP for rushing to disown the views of its ideological mentor, showing their vulnerability in the upcoming Bihar elections, in an editorial.
"Political parties who call themselves as saviours of the victimised class have vehemently opposed Bhagwat's comments. While attacking Bhagwat, they have their eye set on Bihar polls. Even the BJP called a hurried press meet and distanced itself away from his comments. It seems that the politics of Bihar must have been behind BJP's response to Bhagwat," said the editorial in Sena's mouthpiece, 'Saamana'.
The Sena, which has been critical of the BJP for trying to push the land acquisition bill, said that the insistence for pushing the bill has portrayed an "anti-farmer" image for the party.
The editorial said, "At such a time, has the fear of an electoral jolt in the midst of Dalit-Maha Dalit politics forced the BJP to distance itself from RSS chief's statements? Questions have now been raised over BJP's attitude towards the RSS."
Claiming that Babasaheb Ambedkar, the father of the Indian Constitution, too had called for a review of the reservation guaranteed by the Constitution after 10 years, depending upon the prevailing circumstances, the RSS chief had only supported the Dalit icon's views.
"BJP has distanced from Bhagwat's views for political reasons. But we (Sena) have nothing to do with it. Bhagwat has only said what people feel and we welcome his stand," said the editorial.
Earlier this week, in an interview to Sangh journals, 'Organiser' and 'Panchjanya', Mr Bhagwat had held that the issue of reservation has been used for political ends and suggested setting up of an apolitical committee to examine as to which categories require it and for how long.
Shiv Sena is an alliance partner in the BJP led National Democratic Alliance at the Centre, and the BJP led Maharashtra government as well.