The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday alleged that former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and BSP supremo Mayawati's criticism of the government over RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's remarks for a review of the reservation policy was totally baseless and uncalled for.
"In my opinion this is nothing, but a desperate attempt to address her political interests after the disastrous defeat of the Lok Sabha election, which has shattered her political base in Uttar Pradesh," said BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi.
"As far as the reservation is concerned, the policy of BJP is concerned, it is categorically clear that we are committed to provide the fruits of development and empowerment. And there cannot be any 'if and but' in the process, procedure and the establishment practice of the reservation and it is also been further clarified by the Bharatiya Janata Party yesterday," he added.
Addressing the media this afternoon, Mayawati threatened a nation-wide protest against the Centre if it toed the line of the RSS chief.
"If the Narendra Modi Government tries to toe the line of Bhagwat, if it tries to tamper with the humanitarian provision of reservation as enshrined in the Constitution then the BSP will launch a nationwide mass agitation which will prove costly to the government," she said.
Bhagwat had earlier said there was a need to review the reservation policy, contending it has been used for political ends and suggesting setting up of an apolitical committee to examine who needs the facility and for how long.
