'Reservation a headache', says Gujarat BJP leader; 'proves BJP is anti-reservation', hits back Opposition

Ahmedabad: A Gujarat BJP leader in her speech during Republic Day celebrations in Banaskantha district, termed reservation as a "headache", prompting the opposition Congress and Aam Aadmi Party leaders to criticise the ruling party for being "anti-reservation."

While Congress said the statement was "unfortunate" and reiterated that BJP and RSS want to do away with the reservation, AAP said that the remarks show that "BJP is against the reservation for SC, ST and OBC."

On Sunday, BJP state secretary Naukaben Prajapati during her speech at the flag hoisting ceremony in Bhabhar Municipality in Banaskantha district allegedly said, "We haven't been able to abolish reservation even today due to appeasement and vote bank politics. And, we know that today, reservation has become a headache."

The video of her speech has gone viral on social media platforms where she is being criticised for her statement. She also mentioned in her speech that "merely celebrating Republic Day on January 26 and Independence Day on August 15 doesn't mean patriotism, it should be in our every vein."

"Today, a small country like Israel is overwhelming Muslim countries. The reason behind this is the strong sense of nationalism among the citizens of that country," Prajapati said. Prajapati couldn't be contacted while BJP spokesperson didn't offer any comment.

Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Hiren Banker in a statement said that Prajapati's speech was "unfortunate" as it claims that the "constitution and reservation provided by Baba Saheb Ambedkar has been giving BJP headache."

"Congress has been repeatedly saying that BJP and RSS want to end reservation" Banker said in a statement. Similarly, Gujarat AAP president Isudan Gadhvi said "Yesterday, a woman leader of BJP made it clear that BJP is against reservation."