New Delhi [India], March 17: BJP MP Tejasvi Surya on Monday criticized the Karnataka government’s decision to provide 4 per cent reservation for minority contractors in tenders, calling it “unconstitutional” and “blatantly illegal.” The Karnataka Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, approved an amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act, which aims to allocate 4 per cent reservation in government tenders specifically for minority contractors.
Speaking to ANI, Surya expressed strong opposition to the reservation based on religion, asserting that such policies threaten the country’s national unity and security. He referenced the framers of the Indian Constitution, including Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who opposed the idea of reservations based solely on religion, describing it as a “fatal dose against National integrity” that could lead to the “balkanisation of India.”
Further, Surya also questioned the proposal of a Rs 1,000 crore “CM Muslim Colony Development Fund” by CM Siddaramaiah, criticizing the allocation of such a large amount despite claims of insufficient funds to address basic civic issues in Bengaluru, such as pothole repairs.
In response to the criticism, Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar clarified that the 4 per cent reservation was not exclusive to Muslims but would apply to all minority communities and backward classes. He also explained that the reservation would encompass five to six minority communities, not just one specific group.
Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy also defended the decision, emphasizing that it was in line with providing equitable opportunities to all minority communities, similar to the reservations already in place for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.