Poll gimmick before enforcement of model code of conduct: Congress

The reservation will be provided in both jobs (direct recruitment) and education sector. This brings an end to 17 year old demand by the people in the general category devoid of reservations.

Picture: Abhishek Manu Singhvi (Twitter account)

New Delhi: In its first reaction to the Modi Cabinet approving 10% reservation for economically weaker upper castes, the Congress on Monday dubbed as a 'poll gimmick'.  Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said the government did not think about this for four years and eight months and took this move three months before the model code of conduct coming into effect. He also asked whether the government has the majority to bring about a Constitution amendment in Parliament. "Why did you not think of this for four years and eight months? So obviously thought of as election gimmick three months before the model code. You know that you cannot exceed 50 per cent limit so it is done only to posture that you tried," he said in a tweet. He also said the Supreme Court has struck down the reservation quota crossing 50 per cent in several states. The reservation will be provided in both jobs (direct recruitment) and education sector. This brings an end to 17 year old demand by the people in the general category devoid of reservations. This has comes just few months before Lok Sabha polls and is a move seen by experts to attract the votes of upper castes who are downhearted by the current quota system.

See last two tweets re reservation 4forwards? Qs—did u nt think of this for 4 yrs 8 mths? so obviously thought of as election gimmick 3mths b4 model code! (3) u know u cannot exceed 50% maxima so it is done only to posture tht u tried unctal thing (4) do u hv majority 4ctal am?

— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) January 7, 2019

#Forwardreservation a gimmick 2fool ppl-c last tweet. #Balaji 50% maxima continues 2b law. #TN exception an aberration—challenge pending in sc. #modi never did 4five years+hs no majority 4ctal am. Only misleading nation. AP &Raj exceeding 50% 4jats &Muslims also struck down.

— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) January 7, 2019

Senior advocate and Rajya Sabha member KTS Tulsi termed the decision a "joke" saying the government is trying to fool the people."The Modi government hasn't been able to get Triple Talaq passed in Parliament, how will it be able to get the Constitutional amendments passed." Speaking to ABP News over it, BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi, said "the move should be looked as class-based reservation and not caste-based reservation."