DK Shivakumar extended support to CM Siddaramaiah's move to reserve 4% of government contracts for minority communities.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday extended support to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over the 4% reservation row. The statement follows the BJP's accusation that the Congress government's quota implementation amounts to 'Muslim appeasement'.
Refuting the claims, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the 4% quota is not only for Muslims but for all minorities and backward classes.
As per the reports, he said, "The 4 percent quota is not only for Muslims, but for all minorities and backward classes."
On Friday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced reservation in government contracts in the State Budget 2025, allocating Rs 42,018 crore for the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Addressing the Assembly, though he did not name any community, the budget mentioned Category 2B, which includes only Muslims.
"Under the provisions of Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act, the reservation provided to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Category-I, Category-IIA and Category-IIB contractors in works will be increased to Rs 2 crore," CM Siddaramaiah said.
The Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act was amended and approved.
Now, reservation of up to Rs 1 crore will be given to suppliers belonging to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Category 1, Category 2A and Category 2B in the purchase of goods and services under government departments, corporations and institutions.
Following the demand by minority leaders that 4% of the contract works be allotted to Muslims, the proposal was discussed in a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Criticising the state government, the BJP said the move was against the spirit of the Constitution and was nothing but the "peak of appeasement politics".
State BJP president BY Vijayendra criticised the Congress government, alleging that it was pushing Karnataka towards discord.
He claimed that the state government has not released any funds for the MLAs, no tender has been issued and no work has been allotted, hence the proposed reservation is meaningless.
"Does the grand old party think that only Muslims constitute the minority group? I urge CM Siddaramaiah, if he is real Ahinda (a Kannada acronym for Alpasankhyataru or minorities, Hindulidavaru or backward classes, and Dalitaru or Dalits) leader, he should have enabled marginalised communities and strengthened them economically," he said.
"Madivala, Savita and many communities also exist and need support from the state. The government is not bringing these communities into the mainstream. Instead, the government is all set for Muslim appeasement, the people will have to teach them a lesson," he stated.