PM Narendra Modi's claim on Muslim quota a lie, he must apologise: CM Siddaramaiah | Bengaluru News - Times of India

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Siddaramaiah tagged HD Deve Gowda, BJP's ally, saying he would like to know his views on the reservation row

BIDAR/BENGALURU: Chief minister

Siddaramaiah

denounced Prime Minister

Narendra Modi

's recent remarks that

Congress

had transferred

reservation quotas

from backward classes to Muslims, labelling them a "blatant lie".

Siddaramaiah also sought the opinion of Modi's new ally, JD(S) patriarch HD Deve Gowda, on the matter since the former PM had previously claimed that he had implemented reservation for Muslims.

The CM refuted Modi's assertions and attributed it to "ignorance" and "desperation" fuelled by fear of electoral defeat. In a post on X, he said none of Modi's predecessors had degraded the office of prime minister to the "low level" that Modi has.

Siddaramaiah was replying to Modi's remarks at an election rally in Rajasthan where he said the Congress state govt had tried to extend reservation for Muslims by dipping into quotas for Dalits. Modi also accused the party of hatching a "deep conspiracy" to snatch people's wealth and distribute it among a select group.

Late on Wednesday, during an election rally in Bidar, Siddaramaiah said Modi should either provide evidence to substantiate his "irresponsible allegations" or apologise. He said Modi was a figure of authority and that "accountability" and "responsible discourse" was important when holding public office.

Siddaramaiah said any amendment to reservation quotas must adhere to established procedures and that alterations require substantiation from social and economic surveys. He said state govts lack the authority to unilaterally modify reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. "Such changes necessitate approval from both Houses of Parliament," he said.

'Quota in place since 1974'

The CM also pointed out that the inclusion of Muslims in the 2B category for Backward Classes in Karnataka is not a recent development; it has been in place since 1974 and was based on reports from Backward Classes Commissions.

The CM criticised Modi for conveniently overlooking historical and legal precedents regarding reservation in Karnataka.

Supreme Court ruling

He said an attempt was made by the Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP govt to amend the reservation matrix and that it was frowned on by the Supreme Court. Siddaramaiah highlighted that the apex court had issued a stay on the decision to revoke the 4% reservation for Muslims. He chastised Modi for his "ignorance" on the matter.

He also said that while Bommai had claimed to have written to the Centre on amendments to the reservation matrix, Narayana Swamy, minister for social justice and empowerment, had told the Lok Sabha that his office had not received any, and rebuked Modi for being unaware of these developments despite being prime minister.