Nation

‘Congress Trying To Gain Political Mileage’: CM Basavaraj Bommai On Karnataka Reservation Row

January 14, 2023
Bharat Times

New Delhi: In a sharp attack on the Congress, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday said the party is misleading people by politicising the reservation issue in the state, new agency ANI reported.

“Kanthraj Committee was formed four to five years back. Backward classes committee report was given and it states that those hailing from economically backward classes should be included under the quota. There is no doubt that we will make sure and go ahead with the reservation,” ANI quoted Bommai as saying.

“We have done this within one week (reservation for Panchamasalis and Vokkaligas), Congress is trying to gain political mileage from this entire quota row,” the chief minister said.

It is to be noted that CM Bommai held a high-level meeting with his ministers after the Panchamasali Lingayat community intensified their protest demanding 15 per cent reservation in jobs.

The Panchamasali group has been demanding 15 per cent of the OBC reservation slots under category 2A. Currently, they fall under 3B (5 per cent).

The protest on reservation is being led by Kudalasangama Panchamasali Peeth Seer Basava Jaya Mruthunjaya Swami.

Notably, Karnataka has four categories of OBC – 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B based on the economic, social and educational status. These backward communities get a preferential reservation in jobs and educational institutions based on the categories.

While 2A are the most backward, 2B are moderate, and little above them are 3A and 3B, news agency PTI reported.

The two dominant communities, Vokkaliga and Panchamasalis, that fall under the 3A and 3B category, have been demanding reservations under 2A status, and the government decided to abolish the 3A and 3B categories.