The 10 per cent reservations for backward people in upper castes proposed by the Modi-led NDA government created a political storm in the country. Almost all parties have already expressed their reactions but everybody waited for the statement of BSP leader Mayawati who had finally broken her silence. She welcome the NDA government’s decision but described it as a mere political strategy aimed at deriving electoral benefits ahead of 2019 poll.

Mayawati felt if the Modi government was sincere in its efforts to ensure equal opportunities, it would have extended these reservations much before and certainly not at the time of elections. However, welcoming the move, she insisted that the government at least now consider extending SC, ST reservations in sectors other than employments and promotions. Also, such benefits should have to be extended to backward sections in many minority sections.

The NDA’s decision has brought to the fore new issues as well. Mayawati said the SC, ST and other backward classes populations have increased manifold in recent years. Because of this, she wanted a corresponding increase in reservations up to 50 per cent only for SC, ST and OBCs. Seeing all this, it is clear the reservations issue is going to become complex and tricky one that will go out of control of political parties.

G.Ravikiran