Mayawati for reservation to weaker sections among upper castes

Dharamshala, Jul 25 (UNI) BSP supremo and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati today called upon the Centre to amend the Constitution to provide for reservation in government jobs for economically weaker sections among the upper castes of the society.

''I have urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to bring a bill in the monsoon session of the Parliament to provide for reservations for economically weaker sections among the upper castes,'' she said at her press conference were hours after arriving here.

Ms Mayawait said the bill should be placed in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution to protect the interests of the beneficiaries.

Terming the demand by the weaker sections of the upper castes for reservation in government jobs as ''fully justified'', she said this would help in their social and economic upliftment.

Justifying her demand of Rs 80,000 crore package to Uttar Pradesh from the Centre, she said the special package was necessary considering its size and problems.

''Unlike Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh was a big state and a special package for its development is the need of the hour.'' Replying to a question on the ensuing elections to the post of the Vice President of the country, she expressed confidence that the UPA candidate would emerge victorious.

The BSP supremo said the party would come out with the name of its chief ministerial candidate in the tomorrow's rally being held at Kangra.

Replying to another question whether the BSP would rake up the audio CD issue in the Parliament, she said the party would expose the Chief Minister's style of functioning here in the state during the assembly elections.

She said party general secretary Satish Mishra has been asked to work at the national level for providing reservation for the economically weaker sections among the upper castes and to function as its convenor.

Welcoming suspended Congress leaders Vijai Singh Mankotia and former minister Vijay Joshi into the BSP's fold, Ms Mayawati said several other Congress and BJP leaders were likely to join to the party in the next few months.

Earlier, suspended Congress leader Vijai Singh Mankotia today tendered his resignation from the membership of state Vidhan Sabha to join BSP.

UNI