Row in MP over Minister's reservation-linked remark

Bhopal, May 28 (UNI) Strongly objecting Madhya Pradesh Cooperatives Minister Gopal Bhargav's ''controversial'' comment on reservation, the Congress state unit today said that he no longer had the right to continue in a constitutional post.

At a Brahmin Mahasabha meeting here yesterday, Mr Bhargav, in presence of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, said, ''We do not need reservation, let it be given to the beggars who want it''.

The remark was unconstitutional and uncalled for,'' Congress state president Suresh Pachouri told newspersons here.

Alleging that it was an insult to the Constitution's founding fathers and those deserving reservation, the former union minister said the remark revealed the BJP's mentality against Schedued Castes, Tribes and Backward Classes.

''The Chief Minister silently concurred with Mr Bhargav's comment and therefore should tender an apology. Atrocities against scheduled segments constantly spiralled during the BJP's tenure in this state,'' Mr Pachouri alleged.

Maintaining that Mr Bhargav's words could not be taken as a ''private'' statement as he occupied a constitutional post, the Congress leader pointed out that the programme took place at the Chief Minister's residence.

When asked whether he favoured reservation for Brahmins, Mr Pachouri evaded a direct reply saying it was a subject of discussion. Besides, discussion was underway at party level on the issue of reservation for every segment's poor.

Regarding the reservation demand by Rajasthan's Gurjars, he said that there were several points linked to the matter and should be viewed in wider perspective.

The Congress leader also alleged that the state's BJP regime could not control the situation that had assumed severe proportions.

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