Karnataka elections: BJP on backfoot after Supreme Court shreds reservation move

BENGALURU: The Supreme Court’s observation that the Karnataka government’s decision to scrap 4% reservation for Muslims appeared to be based on “fallacious assumptions” and was on a “shaky” foundation, has come as a huge setback for BJP with the state assembly elections barely a month away.

BJP may now be left with an arrow short in its quiver since it was gearing up to make the hike in reservation for the two dominant castes a major poll plank. Besides facing strong anti-incumbency, BJP is facing rebellion in its only southern stronghold, with several sitting MLAs quitting the party to join either Congress or JD(S) after being denied party tickets.

Vishwas Shetty, political commentator, said Congress and JD(S) are likely to encash on the SC’s observations. “The opposition parties are expected to tom-tom the reservation issue as they intensify their last-stage campaign. It could hurt BJP’s prospects,” said Shetty.

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Giving in to pressure from Lingayats and Vokkaligas, who were both clamouring for an increase in reservation, the BJP government, barely a week before the announcement of assembly elections, decided to enhance reservation for both castes by 2%each while scrapping the 4% reservation for Muslims.

The quota for Muslims under 2B Backwards Class category has been in place since 1994. The BJP government decided to move the community to the EWS (economically weaker sections) category, which has a total reservation of 10%. Under that category, Muslims will have to compete with several groups, including Brahmins and Jains for reservation.

“It’s another big setback for BJP,” said Sandeep Shastri, psephologist. “Some would feel it could help BJP ensure greater majority consolidation, but it will be a challenge, as it appears they have reached saturation point. How Congress and JD(S) are able to capitalise on the issue will be important.”

The hike in reservation was crucial for BJP to retainits vote share among Lingayats and to increase it in the case of Vokkaligas. BJP was planning to use it to expand its footprint in the Vokkaligadominated Old Mysuru region and improve its prospects to return to the helm.

It was also hoping to consolidate votes of Panchamasalis, a major sub-caste among the Lingayats that was demanding 15% reservation. Panchamasalis called off their 32-month struggle for 2A category reservation after the Basavaraj Bommai cabinet accorded the community 7% quota under a new 2D category. Prior to the new reservation matrix, Lingayats had a 5% quota in education and jobs.

But BJP insists it is not perturbed by the apex court’s observations. Aravind Bellad, MLA and the man behind the change in the reservation matrix, said it will instead boomerang on Congress. “People are clever enough to know who has challenged the new reservation policy and who is behind it,” he said.

Bellad said it was too early to draw conclusions as the government has assured the apex court it will put on hold its March 27 order till April 18 and come out with a counterargument.

“I am confident the government can convince the court as the Muslim reservation too was given without any concrete data or basis in 1994,” Bellad said.