Former Finance Minister and senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram has sharply criticized the Modi government over reservations. He mentioned that the BJP-led government under PM Modi would not hesitate to end reservations. Chidambaram said that the 13th Amendment, which provides a 10 percent quota to economically weaker sections (EWS), weakens the reservation system.
BJP Preparing for Constitutional Amendments
Chidambaram made these remarks at the India Today Conclave 2024 in Mumbai on Thursday. The title of his session was 'Congress's Blueprint for a New India.' When asked if Congress deliberately spread the notion that the constitution was at risk and that BJP would remove reservations if re-elected, Chidambaram replied, 'BJP will amend the Constitution. They were preparing for it.'
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Won't Hesitate to End Reservations
The senior Congress leader said, 'Despite not securing a majority in the general elections, BJP is planning to amend the Constitution. The Modi government won't hesitate to end or reduce reservations.' Speaking about the Supreme Court's decision in 2022 to uphold the 10 percent reservation for EWS, Chidambaram said, 'The decision was 3:2 by a five-judge bench. Has anyone read the dissenting opinions of the two most capable judges? One day, the 3:2 decision could be overturned, and hopefully, it will be soon.'
I Told Villages That the Constitution is at Risk
When asked about Congress's claim that the constitution was at risk, Chidambaram said, 'The Constitution is indeed at risk. I campaigned in more than 100 villages. Do you think only urban people should be concerned about this? That's not true. I informed the villagers too that the Constitution is in danger.'
