Uncertainty re-emerges over Gujjar talks

Jaipur, Jun 14 (UNI) Uncertainty again loomed over ongoing talks between agitating Gujjars and Rajasthan Government over demand for ST status even as Gujjar delegates today deferred their plan to go to Pillukapura to consult their leader Col Kirodi Singh Bainsla on future course of action during talks.

The four- member team of Gujjar leaders which was due to leave for Pillukapura this afternoon to meet Col Bainsla did not proceed from Jaipur.

There were reports about differences among Gujjar delegates over the issue and Gujjar leaders have refused to go to Pillukapura till receipt of a clearcut proposal from the state government.

Gujjar Leader Roop Singh, a close confidante of Col Bainsla, said talks did not make any headway as the state government did not have will power to solve the problem. He said government was working on old menu and had nothing new to offer.

However, BJP treasurer and government delegation leader Ramdas Agrawal has denied reports of differences between the Gujjars and the state government and said talks were progressing well.

Principal Secretary(Water Resources) S N Thanvi, who is participating in the talks on behalf of the government, said the Gujjar delegation could not take off for Pillukapura by Helicopter as their programme was delayed due to certain reasons.

Mr Thanvi said the Gujjar delegation would now go to Pillukapura tomorrow morning to meet Col Bainsla. He said there was no problem and the talks would continue.

Meanwhile, in another significant development, Meena legislators have resorted to pressure politics to derail the ongoing talks over Gujjar reservation issue.

Ruling BJP MLA and former minister Kirodi Lal Meena has sent his resignation from Assembly membership to speaker Sunmitra Singh's office.

Another MLA Kanti Meena also sent his papers to BJP President Om Prakash Mathur. Some Meena legislators held a meeting at Dr Kirodi Lal Meena's residence and some more MLAs might resort to this pressure politics.

Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje reviewed developments at a meeting with Mr Agrawal, BJP General Secretary Gopinath Munde and state president Om Prakash Mathur at her official residence here tonight.

Earlier in the day, agitating Gujjar leaders and Rajasthan government delegates appeared to have reached a broad understanding over the government's move to write another letter to the Centre in favour of Gujjar reservation and related issues and decided to hold another round of talks after consulting Gujjar leader Col (retd) Kirodi Singh Bainsla.

Eds rest pick up suitably from earlier.

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