BJP opposes muslim quota in UP manifesto

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Promising sops for every section of society in its manifesto for Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, BJP on Friday opposed 4.5 per cent reservation to minorities from the 27 per cent quota of backward classes even as it said it was committed to the construction of a Ram Temple at Ayodhya.

The manifesto was released by senior leaders, including Uma Bharati, Surya Pratap Shahi, Kalraj Mishra, Mukhtar Abas Naqvi, Narendra Singh Tomar and Suddhendra Kulkarni at the party office here.

On questions regarding a Ram temple at Ayodhya, state president Shahi said that the party was of the opinion that Hinduism was the life substance of the country, but due to vote bank politics it was being attacked by parties, including Congress, SP, BSP and the Left.

"Construction of a grand temple is associated with the faith of crores of people of the country. Ram is the symbol of prestige, pride and dignity of the country. Unfortunately due to psuedo secularism and vote bank politics it is being opposed. BJP is committed to remove all hurdles in the path of construction of Ram temple," he said.

Releasing the manifesto, Leader of BJP Legislative Party Om Prakash Singh said that the party was opposed to religion-based reservation.

"The UPA government decision is motivated by vote bank politics and when BJP comes to power 4.5 per cent reservation for minorities would be scrapped and 27 per cent quota of the OBCs will be restored," he said.

In fact for welfare and development of economically weaker sections among upper caste, the party announced to constitute a Samanya Nirdhan Varg Kalyan Ayog.

"This commission will be constituted for 50 per cent people of unreserved class, who are socio-economically backward. Arrangement of necessary reservation for them will be made," Shahi said.