Bhartiya Janata Party spokesman Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi charged that the Centre took two and a half minutes to throw out the proposal of the Rajasthan government to grant 4 per cent reservation to Gujjars, who have been blocking trains and road transport between Agra and Jaipur for more than a week now.
The Gujjars have been demanding ST quota and reservation for their community.
"Dr Singh's government threw out the proposal of Rajasthan Chief Minister Vadundhara Raje as it deserved to be given that treatment. Doesn't she know that a resolution sent to the Union government for consideration if it happens to be constitutional amendment needs to be passed by Rajasthan government," Manish Tewari of the Congress party told newsmen at a press conference in New Delhi on Thursday evening.
While Naqvi charged that Centre was stoking fire and wants to keep the issue alive, Tewari rejected the charge saying that it was in the interest of BJP to keep the issue alive.
"Don't you see the kind of language used by the BJP spokesman. He says that the ball is now in the court of Centre to sort out the matter. The Union government of course is seized of this, but the Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje must carry out her constitional obligation and hold talks with the agitators led by Col Bhainsla who have leading the agitation," Tewari rebutted.
Strangely, the Gujjar issue is not likely to be discussed during the forthcoming national executive to be held on June 1 and 2 in New Delhi.
