BJP, Congress issue whip to party MPs to be present in Lok Sabha on Tuesday

Political experts believe the move is to woo the votes of the forward caste Hindus who have traditionally been voting for the saffron party. It also comes in the backdrop of the amendments to the SC/ST Act that many believe has caused disenchantment among the General castes.

Representational Picture (AFP)

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress have issued three-line whips for party parliamentarians to be present in Lok Sabha on Monday. The BJP leadership wants its members to support the governments stand and vote in support of the bills especially the one cleared by the Union Cabinet on Monday in which it proposed a 10 per cent job and education quota for "economically weaker" sections. The reservation is for economically weaker sections in educational institutions and government jobs. A constitutional amendment bill will be tabled in Lok Sabha on Tuesday which is also the last day of the Winter Session. It requires the amendment to Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution. The government is likely to extend the Session for two more days and is also said to be in talks with non-BJP parties. Since the commencement of the Winter Session, the government is being cornered by the Congress party on the Rafale deal issue. The government has already extended the Rajya Sabha proceedings by a day till January 9. The passage of the bill requires support of at least two-thirds of the members in both the Houses. The government lacks numbers in Rajya Sabha and may face a major impediment in getting the bill approved. The proposed reservation will be over and above the existing 50 per cent reservation availed by the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and the Other Backward Classes, taking the total reservation to 59.5 percent. The bill applies to those falling under the Rs 8 lakh annual income and not owning more than five acres of agricultural land. They should also not own a flat of 1000 sq ft or more, land of 100 yards in notified municipality area and 200 yards in non-notified area. Political experts believe the move is to woo the votes of the forward caste Hindus who have traditionally been voting for the saffron party. It also comes in the backdrop of the amendments to the SC/ST Act that many believe has caused disenchantment among the General castes.