Centre should bring amendment to protect 27 pc quota: BJP

Chennai, Apr 25 (UNI) The BJP today demanded that the Union Government should immediately amend the constitution to ensure 27 per cent reservation for the OBCs in institutions of higher learning.

Addressing a press conference here party national secretary S Thirunavukkarasar accused the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre of not handling the reservation issue properly in the Supreme court.

He said due to the ''inefficiency'' of the UPA Government for the last three years, unemployment, terrorism, rising prices of essential commodities were growing unchecked affecting particulary the rural populace of the country.

To a question, the former Union Minister and Rajya Sabha member said the Centre could carry on the ongoing Sethu Samudhram Canal Project without destroying the Ramar Bridge, by using some alternative method available abundantly in that area.

The BJP leader requested the Centre not to extend any military assgrence to the Sri Lankan government as it would be used against innocent Tamils in the Island nation.

Referring to the Cauvery water issue, Mr Thirunavukkarasar said it was unfortunate that the Tamil Nadu Government was unable to take a final decision on whether to file an appeal before the Tribunal or before the Supreme Court.

There was nothing wrong in approaching the apex Court as Karnataka Government had already refused to implement the interim orders of the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal.

The state government should immediately constitute an expert committee to deal with the Cauvery water issue to protect the interest of the state, he added.

He wanted the Union Government to intervene in the issue and gazette the Tribunal's final verdict.

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