By Special Correspondent
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee President Jeetu Patwari and Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar on Tuesday launched a strong attack on the BJP government, accusing it of betraying the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community by deliberately stalling the implementation of 27 per cent reservation.
Addressing a joint press conference, Patwari said the Congress government under Kamal Nath had enacted a law to ensure 27 per cent OBC quota, but the BJP, after coming to power, obstructed its implementation by issuing circulars in 2021 and orders in 2022 that halted recruitment. “Only 87 per cent of the appointments were carried out, while 13 per cent were arbitrarily withheld, affecting over one lakh aspirants. Many candidates lost their jobs, and some even took their own lives,” he alleged.
He further claimed the state government spent Rs 100 crore on legal battles merely to block the quota. “The BJP and RSS are against giving OBCs their rightful share. Congress gave reservation and will ensure justice,” Patwari asserted.
Responding to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s call for an all-party meeting on 28 August, he said the invitation was verbal and lacked formal notice. “If the government is serious, it should implement the 2019 law immediately,” he added.