BJP opposes reservation for converted Christians

Hyderabad, Jan 7 (UNI) Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) Andhra Pradesh Unit today opposed the Bahujan Samaj Party(BSP) supremo and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, advocating reservations for religious converts.

Talking to newspersons here, party spokesperson N Ramachandra Rao said there was no provision in the Constitution to provide reservations to religious converts. Ms Mayawati's demand for Scheduled Caste status for Dalit Christians cannot be accepted, since after the conversion of Dalits as Christian, they would come under Backward Caste category, he added.

Mr Rao denied the accusation of the BSP President that the BJP had not taken any steps for development and welfare of the people.

The party had taken steps for the development of the country and initiated several welfare schemes in BJP-ruled States, he added.

He also demanded a Supreme Court bench in South for the benefit of the clients and advocates. Andhra Pradesh Bar Association had earlier passed a resolution in this regard, which the Government had rejected,he added.

He said nearly 46,000 cases were pending in the Apex Court and the Government sanction for a bench would save unnecessary expenditure and facilitate the process.

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