Bommai accuses CM of yielding to those opposing internal reservation

Accusing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of succumbing to pressure from those opposing internal reservation among Scheduled Castes, former Chief Minister and MP Basavaraj Bommai has warned of launching a Statewide agitation if the government fails to implement internal reservation based on the report of the Justice Nagamohan Das committee and as directed by the Supreme Court.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, Mr. Bommai argued that there was no need to convene a special Cabinet meeting to implement internal reservation for SC communities.

“If the Chief Minister is truly committed, he should implement internal reservation according to the Justice Nagamohan Das committee report in accordance with the Supreme Court’s direction,” he demanded.

He maintained that the Supreme Court had clearly stated that implementing internal reservation did not require constitutional amendment. Even the State Advocate General had informed the High Court that the law on internal reservation had been enacted with the Governor’s assent. “Yet, the government has failed to implement its own law. If the law already exists, why is a special Cabinet meeting required?” he wondered.

He alleged that there were factions within the State Cabinet. “While one supports internal reservation, the another is opposing it. The Chief Minister has succumbed to pressure from Ministers who are opposed to internal reservation,” he maintained.

Mr. Bommai expressed concern over the government deciding to fill 56,000 posts without clarity on reservation.

The former Chief Minister alleged that the State government had consistently been unjust towards SC and ST communities and had never taken a clear stand on issues concerning them.

Accusing the government of meting out injustice to nomadic communities in internal reservation, he expressed concern about the condition of nomadic communities, stating that they are living in extremely difficult circumstances, without proper housing and often in forest areas.