Delhi Assembly Election: Kejriwal Urges Modi And Shah To Include Jats In Centre’s OBC List

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has once again raised the issue of including Delhi's Jat community in the Centre's Other Backward Classes (OBC) list, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of betraying the community by not fulfilling their promises. In a press conference, Kejriwal emphasized the disparity faced by the Jat community in Delhi, who are included in the state's OBC list but are excluded from the Centre's, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Kejriwal met with a delegation of Jat leaders at his residence, with the community's strong voting presence in many of Delhi's 70 assembly constituencies, especially in the outer areas. He highlighted that while Jats from Rajasthan enjoy benefits such as access to Delhi University and jobs in central government organizations like AIIMS and Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi's Jats are left behind.

"The Jats here are included in Delhi's OBC list but not in the Centre's list. Jats from Rajasthan can get admissions in Delhi University and its colleges, jobs in AIIMS, Safdarjung Hospital, and all the central government organisations but not the Jats of Delhi," Kejriwal said, drawing attention to the inconsistency in the system, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Kejriwal reminded Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of the promise they made to the Delhi Jat community, guaranteeing them OBC status at the central level. However, the promise has remained unfulfilled, according to the AAP leader.

A Call for Action

Kejriwal raised a direct question to the BJP leaders, asking, "When will you include Delhi's Jats in the Centre's OBC list?" He emphasized that the AAP strongly supports the community's justified demand for reservation.

In a post on social media, Kejriwal shared that the Jat leaders he met expressed their frustration over being "betrayed" by the BJP on the issue of reservation. The delegation has accused the BJP of failing to address their concerns for the past decade, further fueling their sense of injustice.

The issue of OBC reservation for Delhi's Jats has remained a contentious topic, and Kejriwal's demand has reignited the debate. He has also pointed out that during the last 10 years of BJP's governance in Delhi, the matter was never raised in the Vidhan Sabha or on public platforms, as reported by Hindustan Times.

BJP's Response: Election Gimmick or Political Strategy?

The BJP has dismissed Kejriwal's demand, labeling it an "election gimmick." Kamaljeet Sehrawat, a BJP Lok Sabha MP, stated that the AAP, which had a majority in Delhi, never raised the issue during its tenure, adding that granting reservations is under the jurisdiction of the state government.

Sehrawat also pointed to the actions of Kailash Gahlot, a former AAP leader, who allegedly revealed that Kejriwal had been informed multiple times about the Jat community's concerns. According to Sehrawat, the reason Delhi's Jat community isn't included in central reservations is due to Kejriwal's government's inaction.

BJP leader Kuljeet Singh Chahal, a proud member of the Jat community, accused AAP of using the issue as a political stunt. He claimed that AAP, struggling to maintain its relevance, is resorting to such tactics as a last-ditch effort to gain political mileage, as per media reports.

As the debate intensifies, the future of the Jat community's inclusion in the Centre's OBC list remains uncertain, with both political parties continuing to stake their claims. The issue is expected to remain a focal point as Delhi heads towards upcoming elections, with each party aiming to capitalize on the concerns of the influential Jat voter base.