Gowda supports 10% quota for upper castes

The H D Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal (Secular) has welcomed the Modi administration’s decision to provide 10% reservation in jobs and educational institutions for the economically-backward sections in the general category (upper caste).

Gowda spelt out his party’s stand even as the Opposition, including his Karnataka coalition partner Congress, dismissed the move as “politically-motivated.”

“Janata Dal (Secular) supports the 10% reservation in jobs and educational institutions for economically weaker sections of the upper castes. We have always stood for, and will continue to stand for betterment of the underprivileged and weaker sections of society,” Gowda, a former prime minister, said in a
Tuesday morning
tweet.

The JD(S) has identified largely with the image of being a Vokkaliga-dominated
party.

It may be noted that the JD(S)-Congress coalition in Karnataka, led by Gowda’s son H D Kumaraswamy, has earmarked Rs 25 crore in the budget for a Karnataka State Brahmin Development Board.

In a contrasting stand, Social Welfare Minister Priyank Kharge (Congress) dubbed the Centre’s move ultra vires. “10% reservation for economically-backward sections of society might not stand judicial scrutiny. This additional 10% will violate the ceiling of 50% affixed by Supreme Court. A Constitutional amendment will be required. Until then this (is) another jumla & lollipop by Narendra Modi,” Kharge said in a tweet.