Uma Bharti supports Govternment's quota move

New Delhi, Apr 9: Expelled Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharti today strongly backed the UPA Government's plan to reserve another 27 per cent quota for Other Backward Classes in IIMs, IITs and Central Universities.

''I support this move unambiguously,'' she said in response to questions at a news conference here. A new system could, however, be started for those in the reserved category where only OBC students securing a minimum percentage of marks are allowed admission, she added.

''Either the education standards should be made equal for students in villages and cities or else you have to give incentives to those passing out of village schools,'' she said, pointing to the difference in standards of education in prestigious Delhi schools and those in villages.

To another question, Ms Bharti said the Ram temple should ''definitely'' be built at Ayodhya. The issue could be resolved through consensus among political parties, she added.

Ms Bharti, who was detained yesterday as she made her way towards riot-torn Aligarh, said she has written a letter to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav warning him against selective actions towards any particular community.

''I will enter Aligarh on the sly with one lakh people and organise protests if the administration acts in a partisan manner there,'' she said.

UNI

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