Dalit leaders should shun politics of power and interest and focus on development of Dalits: Tejashwi

Patna, Sep 1 (ABN) Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) working national president Tejashwi Prasad Yadav on Tuesday said that the Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders are taking advantage of reservations to strengthen their dynastic politics and are more focused on keeping BJP and Rashtriya Sangh members happy. Addressing reporters today, the RJD leader questioned Chirag Paswan, Jitan Ram Manjhi, Ramdas Athawale and Om Prakash Rajbhar as to why there are only 10 judges from the Dalit community in the judiciary across the country. He said that only 20 vice-chancellors and 10 secretary-level officials at the central level are from the Dalit community in universities across the country. He said that the data shows how serious these so-called top Dalit leaders in the NDA are about the betterment of the community. He said that all these leaders are so engrossed in the politics of power and interest that they never discuss the increase in reservations or pressurize the central government. Mr. Yadav said that all Dalit leaders, including Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi, should focus on the development of Dalits instead of politics of power and interest. They resigned from their specific seats and contested elections on general seats.
The Leader of Opposition in the Assembly said that National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders, including former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, should pressurize the central government to include 75 per cent reservation in Bihar in the Ninth Schedule. Mr. Yadav said that despite being allies in the ruling coalition, Nitish Kumar, Jitan Ram Manjhi, Chirag Paswan, and Upendra Kushwaha were not serious about extending reservations in Bihar. He said that all these leaders are only reinforcing the views of BJP and RSS. The Leader of Opposition in the Assembly said that the Grand Alliance government in Bihar has decided to increase the reservation limit to 65 per cent for Backward, Very Backward, Dalit and Tribal communities after conducting a caste census. It also sent a proposal to the Central Government to include 75 per cent reservation in the Ninth Schedule as well as 10 per cent reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). He added that the NDA coalition party leaders later failed to press the central government on the issue which led to the shelving of the proposal.