Gujjars body boycotts BJP, extends conditional support to Congress

Jaipur, Feb 10 (UNI) The All India Gujjar Mahasabha today reaffirmed its call for boycott of the BJP in the election and extended conditional support to the Congress provided the latter was committed to support Gujjars' demand of ST status.

Talking to reporters here, Mahasabha President P K Anna Patil said the BJP had not only cheated Gujjars on the reservation issue but its government in Rajasthan also ordered firing on agitating Gujjars resulting in deaths of 26 people last year.

He said the Mahasabha during its executive meet in Indore recently had resolved to boycott the saffron party and work to defeat it in the election at national level.

However, a Rajasthan Minister from Gujjar community had created confusion by denying the reports about the boycott move, Mr Patil clarified.

He said Gujjar reservation issue was not confined to Rajasthan alone but it prevailed in other states including MP and Jammu and Kashmir.

Mr Patil said Mahasabha was open to extend conditional support to the Congress provided the party supported their cause of reservation and committed to work for it.

Mahasabha Rajasthan unit President former MLA Gopi Chand Gujjar said his organisation would work to ensure implementation of the boycott call against the BJP.

It would also work to forge unity among various factions of Gujjar Reservation Action Committee to ensure united and strong movement for realising the demand.

Mr Patil also addressed a Gujjar convention held here today to mark the birth anniversary of late Gujjar leader former Union Minister Rajesh Pilot.

Mr Gopi Chand Gujjar, Gujjar Reservation Action Committee Convenor Col Kirodi Singh Bainsla and several others also participated in the convention.

UNI SS SHB DB1854