Karnataka's Reservation Policy Sparks Political Clash Amid Controversy

Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge defended extending reservations in civil work contracts, citing constitutional backing and past judicial rulings. Accusing the BJP of misinformation, Kharge referenced reports justifying Muslim inclusion in the Backward Class. Meanwhile, BJP's internal disputes surfaced, highlighting corruption and leadership disconnect issues, increasing political tensions.

Karnataka's Minister for Electronics, IT/BT, and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, Priyank Kharge, has robustly defended the state government's decision to extend reservations in civil work contracts, confronting accusations of misinformation from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In his social media post, Kharge highlighted the constitutional support under Articles 15(4) and 16(4) that allows affirmative action for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBCs).

Referencing multiple judicial rulings and commissions, Kharge explained that the inclusion of Muslims as a Backward Class in Karnataka has been consistently validated, dating back to the Havanoor Commission's 1977 report. He accused the BJP of spreading falsehoods regarding reservation policies, emphasizing decisions like the Karnataka High Court's upholding of certain classifications.

The discourse extended to BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal's internal criticisms, where he spoke of the price paid for opposing corruption and dynasty politics. As BJP faces challenges within, Kharge underscored ongoing issues such as the honeytrap case investigation, underscoring the need for justice and thorough examination.

(With inputs from agencies.)