Quota bill divides both alliances

The bill for reservation in promotions has divided the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the United Progressive Alliance (UPA).

If in the NDA the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) broke ranks to support the bill, the Shiv Sena is opposed to the move. The Bharatiya Janata Party, NDA’s lead partner, is yet to take a stand.

The Congress-led UPA is facing a similar situation as its key supporter Samajwadi Party (SP) is up in arms against the bill.  And its constituent DMK is opposed to the bill.

The differences in both political formations are guided by social equations prevailing in states. The Bahujan Samaj Party, UPA’s important ally, backs the bill, but it attacks the NDA and the UPA just to ensure that the bill should not give any electoral edge to the Congress.

Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati has accused the Congress of not being serious, while charging the BJP with not allowing the passage of the bill by sticking to its agitation within Parliament over the “coalgate scam.”

The SP has been quick to oppose the bill as it may further consolidate Mayawati’s Dalit constituency in Uttar Pradesh.  SP leader Mulayam Singh has asked, “How can a junior(employee) be made senior?” His MPs in the Rajya Sabha also shouted, “Promotion mein arakshan nahin chalega (reservation in promotion is not acceptable).” And, obviously, Mulayam Singh is blaming the Congress for not consulting his party on the issue.

The DMK is opposed to the bill on the ground that other backward classes (OBC) should be included in the Bill. Karunanidhi in his statement has said the SP demand for the inclusion of OBCs in reservation in promotion bill is justified. The JD-U’s stand is also guided by the concept of social engineering evolved by Nitish Kumar in Bihar. Nitish Kumar’s formula of “Mahadalit” has helped him snatch dalit votes from Ramvilas Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party. He wants to continue this poll plank in the next general election.

Hence, JD-U chief Sharad Yadav justified his support to the bill. He said:  “The Cabinet of Bihar government led by his party leader Nitish Kumar has approved such a provision on August 17 itself while the Centre is moving it now.”