BENGALURU: Taking a dig at the Centre's move to give constitutional status to the Backward Classes Commission, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said it was actually the prerogative of the state government concerned to include or exclude any community while extending reservation.
Speaking after conferring the Devaraj Urs award on Congress leader in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge here on Sunday, Mr Siddaramaiah said that in a federal system, the Centre should not snatch the rights of state governments. “That was the reason why we opposed Constitutional status to the Backward Classes Commission. We will decide which community should get reservation," he said.
He also criticised the BJP saying it had never spoken about reservation and had opposed the Mandal Commission report and moves by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to bring in reservation.
“The Bharatiya Janata Party is against social justice. As long as the caste system exists, we will continue to extend reservation,” Mr Siddaramaiah said.
Accusing the BJP of being anti-poor, he said there was stiff opposition to the Anna Bhagya scheme which reflected their feudalistic mentality.
“If the poor get food, they would not be available to work as labourers, there is even opposition to the Indira Canteens. The rich can have clubs in Cubbon Park but they make a hue and cry about Indira Canteens. Is a playground more important or food?” Mr Siddaramaiah asked.
