Parties scramble to woo Jats now

The recent decision of Supreme Court to strike down reservation for Jats has stirred up politics in Rajasthan.

State Congress camp considers it an opportune moment to take the community under its fold while the state government too is trying to pacify the community that the Union government will take suitable steps in its interest.

The Jat community comprises 18-20 per cent of the total population of Rajasthan. The community has been a traditional vote bank of Congress but anti-Gehlot sentiments polarised the entire community in favour of the BJP in the previous Assembly elections.
Leaders of Congress camp are now showing sympathy for the Jat community by demanding a review petition against the decision of the apex court.

 Leaders are propagating that the UPA government gave its reservation to the community but the present BJP government didn’t pledge their case strongly in the court.
PCC chief Sachin Pilot and leader of opposition Rameshwar Dudi have also demanded the Center to file a review petition and present the case strongly in regard to the reservation for the Jats.

“Taking into account all the rules and regulations, the Jats had got reservation in central services under the OBC category during the UPA government. The Manmohan Singh government had done whatever best it could do in the then situation. Now, it was the NDA government’s responsibility to put the case of Jat reservation strongly in the court. Unfortunately, they didn’t take any interest,” said Pilot.

On the other hand, Dudi accused the Centre for deceiving the community and taking an unfair advantage.

“Before polls, they made tall promises. Once they came into power, they showed no interest. The present condition of the Jats residing in nine states, including Rajasthan, fulfils the criteria for being considered for the OBC reservation. This is the reason why the UPA government had decided to allot reservation after much deliberation,” said Dudi.
We will educate the community and will fight for them, he added.