Tejashwi Yadav and Samrat Chaudhary confronted over 65% reservation in the Bihar assembly.

Patna November 26, 2024: The second day of the winter session of the Bihar  Legislative Assembly witnessed intense exchanges between Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav and Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary over the issue of 65% reservation.

The debate was held over ongoing political friction, with accusations and counter-accusations over the cancellation of the 65% reservation.

Tejashwi Yadav’s Statement:

Tejashwi Yadav claimed that the Grand Alliance government had implemented 65% reservation based on a caste-based survey conducted during their tenure. He accused the BJP of moving to court to overturn the policy and expressed prior doubts about such a conspiracy during cabinet discussions.

“The policy was inclusive, maintaining 10% reservation for upper-caste EWS and focusing on the welfare of OBCs, EBCs, Dalits, and tribals. The current government should take concrete steps to reinstate the policy, including potentially raising the limit to 75% or 85%, with continued EWS reservation,” Yadav said.

“I want to ask the state government for the formation of a legislative committee to study the reservation provision,” he said.

Tejashwi Yadav also blamed the central government led by BJP for not including the policy in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution, which would have shielded it from judicial review.

Samrat Chaudhary’s Response:

Deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary countered Tejashwi, asserting the decision was part of Nitish Kumar’s government and not exclusively a Tejashwi Yadav if the Grand Alliance government’s initiative.

He criticized the RJD’s track record, stating, “Your (Tejashwi Yadav) parents Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi failed to deliver on reservations during their 15-year rule.

The double-engine government (referring to BJP and alliance parties-ruled states working in tandem with the central government)  is extending reservation benefits across all sections of society.”

Vijay Kumar Sinha’s remarks:

BJP leader Vijay Kumar Sinha rejected Tejashwi Yadav’s allegations as baseless and accused the opposition of making statements without evidence or constitutional basis.

Tejashwi Yadav, in response, pointed to Samrat Chaudhary, implying he had knowledge of the BJP’s alleged role in cancelling the policy.

Nitish Government’s Stand;

Water resource minister Vijay Chaudhary maintained a cautious approach, stating that the matter is sub juiced and the government is acting in compliance with court directives

The High Court’s annulment of the 65% reservation policy and its subsequent upholding by the Supreme Court remain focal points of contention.

Also Read: Tejashwi Yadav and opposition leaders protested on 65% reservation and other issues in the Bihar assembly.

EOM.