Rebel BJP leader demands inclusion of Brahmins, Rajputs in OBC list

Jaipur, Sep 14 (UNI) Expelled BJP MLA Surendra Singh Rathore today said he would raise in the Rajasthan assembly the demand for reservation, under OBC category, to Rajput, Brahmin and Rajpurohit communities in the state.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Rathore accused Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje of making ''veiled attacks'' against her political detractors, adding that he would appropriately respond to her claims in the assembly during its monsoon session beginning September 18.

Stressing on his demand for inclusion of Rajputs and Brahmins in the OBC category, he rejected the suggestion of economic status based reservation for higher castes, including these communities and alleged that the state government was trying to run away from the issue.

He said economic status based reservation needed a constitution amendment whereas reservation benefits under the OBC category could be extended to these communities merely by including them in the OBC list.

Mr Rathore, who was expelled from the BJP for alleged indiscipline, said it was not appropriate on the part of the Chief Minister to make ''indecent utterances'' and veilled threats against her political detractors and instead she should practice healthy politics.

He alleged that Ms raje could neither provide good governance to the people of Rajasthan nor could she tackle her political detractors within or outside the ruling party in an ethical manner.

Mr Rathore dared Ms Raje to name those against whom she was talking and asserted taht he would raise the issue in the state assembly.

UNI