New Delhi [India], March 21: BJP MP Sambit Patra on Friday criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of being unfit for making sound political decisions and resorting to appeasement to further his political ambitions. Patra’s remarks came after Karnataka’s decision to approve a 4 per cent minority quota for Muslims in government contracts.
Addressing a press conference, Patra stated, “Rahul Gandhi is unfit to make sound political decisions, which is why he’s resorting to appeasement to further his political ambitions. As the scion of the Congress party, he knows very well that he will not be able to deliver politically, that is the reason why he is using the crutches of appeasement to further his ambition in politics.”
Patra also accused Rahul Gandhi and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of undermining Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservations by approving the 4 per cent quota for Muslims. “On the advice and aid of Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah has eaten into the reservation which was due for the OBCs. This is not only unconstitutional but also a misadventure. This is the height of appeasement,” Patra added.
He further claimed that the Congress-led government in Karnataka reduced the OBC quota to introduce a 4 per cent minority quota in contracts. “The Karnataka assembly has passed a bill amending the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act, reserving 4 per cent of government contracts for Muslim contractors. This means that from now on, 4 per cent of civil contracts worth up to Rs 2 crore and goods and services contracts worth up to Rs 1 crore will be reserved for Muslim contractors. The Siddaramaiah government in Karnataka has given this reservation to Muslims, allegedly at the behest of Rahul Gandhi, effectively cutting the quota set for OBCs,” Patra explained.
According to the amended Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act, 4 percent of civil contracts valued at up to Rs 2 crore and goods and services contracts worth up to Rs 1 crore will be reserved for minority contractors.