TFP Bureau, Raipur, January 14, 2025: BJP state president Arun Sao today issued a strong statement affirming the party’s commitment to providing up to 50% reservation for backward classes, highlighting the contrast with Congress’ opposition to such provisions. Addressing a press conference at the Kushabhau Thackeray campus, Sao reiterated that the BJP’s internal system would ensure increased representation of backward classes in unreserved seats. He emphasized that the representation of backward classes would remain intact, with no reduction in their share.
Sao criticized Congress for allegedly attempting to disrupt social harmony in the state, accusing the opposition party of being out of touch with the real issues and engaging in “conspiracy” politics. He stated that Congress has a history of opposing reservation measures, pointing to instances where Congress leaders, including Pandit Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi, expressed anti-reservation sentiments.
“Congress has consistently worked against the backward classes. They sabotaged OBC reservation, and now they aim to create confusion about the existing provisions,” said Sao. He further pointed out that the BJP’s commitment to the welfare of backward classes was reflected in the amendments made to the Chhattisgarh Panchayat Raj Act 1993 and the Municipal Corporation Act 1956, ensuring reservation according to population ratios while complying with the Supreme Court’s directive to limit total reservations to 50%.
Deputy Chief Minister Tankaram Verma also addressed the gathering, emphasizing that the state government had complied with the Supreme Court’s ruling and ensured reservation for backward classes while balancing the constitutional mandate for Scheduled Castes and Tribes. He detailed the provisions in the Chhattisgarh Panchayat Raj Act and Municipal Corporation Act, stating that reservation had been allotted fairly across rural and urban bodies, and clarified that no district panchayat president post had been reserved for backward classes, adhering to the legal framework.
BJP leaders including Minister Laxmi Rajwada, State General Secretary Bharat Verma, and Media Incharge Amit Chimanani were also present at the press conference.
