BJP could not understand the secret of silence of Muslims, Congress played such a bet
BJP has failed in the game of reservation!
Before the Karnataka assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party government, playing a big role, abolished the 4 percent reservation given by the Congress to the Muslims in Karnataka. The BJP had divided the 4 percent reservation for Muslims equally between Lingayat and Vokkaliga castes. Because before the elections, it was being speculated that Lingayats, who are known as BJP’s cadre voters, may get away from them this time. On the other hand, the Vokkaliga caste was considered as a voter of Janata Dal Secular ie JDS. The BJP was hoping that by dividing the reservation of Muslims between these two castes, the Lingayats would remain intact and the votes of the Vokkaliga caste could also break away from the JDS. But this ploy of BJP failed in Karnataka. Because in the matter of casteism, Karnataka is far ahead of other states of the country.
Lingayat votes sat on many seats
Let us tell you that the share of Lingayat community in the total population of Karnataka is 17 percent. Let us also tell you that the Lingayat community also holds a great influence in the politics of Karnataka. Vokkaligas have the largest population in Karnataka after Lingayat caste voters. Let us tell you that out of total 224 seats in the state, Vokkaliga decides victory and defeat in 100 seats. Let us also tell you that since 1947 till now, 7 Chief Ministers and one Prime Minister have been formed in Karnataka from the Vokkaliga community. When the vote percentage was calculated after the election results, it was found that the Lingayat votes still remained with the BJP. In some seats, their votes definitely went to the Congress. On the other hand, Vokkaligas also remained with JDS, like Lingayats, some of their voters also moved towards Congress. It is said that the division of Lingayat and Vokkaliga voters happened only because of casteism. Despite BJP giving 2-2 percent additional reservation to both the castes, casteism overshadowed the reservation.
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Why didn’t the Muslims protest?
Before the elections, the BJP’s Bommai government in Karnataka had ended the 4 percent reservation given to Muslims here. The 4 percent reservation available to Muslims was abolished and it was divided equally between Vokkaligas and Lingayats. Due to which Vokkaliga reservation increased from 4 to 6 percent and Lingayat reservation increased from 5 to 7 percent. With this decision of BJP, Muslims would get reservation only under EWS quota. Despite this, there was no protest by Muslim leaders in Karnataka after this decision of BJP. On the issue of reservation where ruckus is created in many states. On the other hand, despite the abolition of Muslim reservation in Karnataka, no demonstration was a matter of surprise in itself.
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Congress had promised to increase reservation
Congress also played a big bet silently on BJP’s bet of ending reservation for Muslims in Karnataka. Releasing its manifesto for the Karnataka assembly elections, the Congress promised to restore the reservation for Muslims abolished by the BJP and also to increase the reservation. Sources reveal that after the abolition of Muslim reservation by the BJP before the elections, the Muslim leaders had also prepared for the protest. But Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge assured the Muslims that if the Congress government is formed, not only will the reservation for Muslims be reinstated, but it will be increased from 4 percent to 6 percent.
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Kharge spoke to Muslim leaders
Mallikarjun Kharge spoke to the Muslim leaders and appealed them not to stage any sit-in demonstrations on this issue till the elections are over. Sources reveal that the Muslims were told by the Congress that if there is a protest on the issue of reservation, Hindu voters will react in the name of Bajrangbali. Due to which Congress may have to suffer in the elections. This is the reason why Muslims did not register any kind of protest in Karnataka on the issue of reservation. Apart from this, during the election campaign, the Congress did not speak much on the Bajrangbali issue under the scheme. This strategy of Congress worked for it in Karnataka elections and now it is coming to power in the state with a thumping majority.
(The views expressed in the article are the author’s own)
