Siddaramaiah counters PM Narendra Modi’s “blatant lie” regarding Karnataka’s Muslim quota claim.

The Prime Minister addressed an election rally in Rajasthan’s Tonk and accused the Congress of trying to extend reservation based on religion and give it to Muslims. He also alleged that the Congress has hatched a “deep conspiracy” to distribute people’s wealth among a “select” group.

The Congress denied the charge and stated that it has no such plan. The Prime Minister claimed that in 2004, the Congress reduced the SC/ST reservation in Andhra Pradesh and tried to give it to Muslims, and attempted to implement Muslim reservation in Andhra Pradesh multiple times between 2004 and 2010.

He also mentioned that the BJP government in Karnataka abolished the Muslim quota that was created by the Congress government. In response, Mr Siddaramaiah accused the Prime Minister of making false claims and demeaning the office of the Prime Minister.

He demanded evidence for the allegations and stated that constitutional reservations cannot be arbitrarily amended. He highlighted that the inclusion of Muslims in the 2B category for backward classes in Karnataka has been based on reports of Backward Classes Commissions since 1974 and that no government, including the BJP, has challenged it.

Mr Siddaramaiah also pointed out that the Supreme Court had issued a stay on the decision to cancel the 4% reservation for Muslims in Karnataka, and he questioned the Prime Minister’s awareness of such important information. Additionally, he raised concerns about the BJP government’s announcement of increasing reservations for Scheduled Castes and Tribes in Karnataka, as it was contradicted by information presented in the Lok Sabha.

He also tagged former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) chief HD Devegowda and expressed eagerness to know his opinion on the matter.