Coalition partners differ on reservation issue

Patna, Jul 25 (UNI) The issue of extending reserervation facilities to Dalit (oppressed) Muslims and Christians reached a new phase with ruling coalition partners in the Bihar-JD(U) and BJP holding divergent views.

Despite standing on opposite poles on the particular issue, the relation between the two parties are yet to sour. As JD(U), led by no other personality than Chief Miniister, appears to project itself as a secular party by hailing the cause of the minorities, its coalition partner BJP is poised to go to any extent at national level to join antagonists of such a proposition.

State BJP president Radhamohan Singh presented his party's views without any ambiguity by arguing that the concept of 'Dalit' was non existent in the said communities as according to members of these faiths, their religions were wedded to the philosphy of 'equality'.

Mr Singh said that both these communities were already enjoying special rights, bestowed upon them under sections 29 and 30 of the constitution.

''Grant of additional facilities on the basis of religion would further promote the ongoing conversion process,'' Mr Singh added.

Chief Minister Mr Nitish Kumar has clarified that JD(U) stood for extending reservation facilities on the basis of economic status and providing facilities and privileges to muslims and christians as well at par with the Hindus of similar economic strata.

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