Ajay Chautala's statement anti-dalit: Surjewala

Chandigarh, May 17 (UNI) Taking strong exception of INLD leader Ajay Singh Chautala's reported demand for abolition of the caste-based reservation system, Haryana Parliamentary Affairs Minister Randeep Singh Surjewala today said Mr Chautala's move was not only ''anti-Dalit but also provocative and divisive.'' Talking to reporters here, Mr Surjewala said the demand for an end to quota system for dalits and backward classes was reflective of not only the ''anti-dalit and anti-poor'' mindset of Mr Chautala but it also exposed the ''real'' ideology of the INLD.

Describing it as a ''deadly and divisive'' statement, he demanded that Mr Chautala should either tender an unconditional apology or tender his resignation as a Rajya Sabha member.

Pointing out that six out of the nine INLD members in Haryana Vidhan Sabha were elected from reserved constituencies, he also demanded resignation of these members.

Mr Chautala's demand was politically motivated, he alleged and said it was a desparate move by the INLD to revive itself in the state after the stunning defeat it suffered in the assembly elections last year.

UNI MA VD BD2008