The Karnataka Cabinet has approved an amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act, introducing a 4 per cent reservation in tenders for Muslim contractors.
Additionally, the Cabinet cleared the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, aiming to issue ‘B’ khatas to all unauthorised rural properties, mirroring the process underway in urban areas, according to reports.
The decisions were made on Friday during a meeting held at the Cabinet Hall of the Vidhan Sabha, chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Earlier, during the state budget presentation on March 7, Siddaramaiah announced that 4 per cent of public works contracts would be reserved for Muslims under the Category-II B classification. This reservation will apply to the procurement of goods and services under various government departments, corporations, and institutions for suppliers from SC, ST, Category-I, Category-II A, and Category-II B, for contracts up to ₹1 crore. Category-II B specifically refers to Muslims.
Religion-based reservations are unconstitutional: BJP
Reacting to the decision, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad stated that the Bharatiya Janata Party would oppose the move, arguing that religion-based reservations are unconstitutional. “The BJP is against this, and we will keep opposing it. Religion-based reservation is not permissible under the Indian Constitution. Reservation on government contracts is completely unconstitutional. It can be allowed based on social backwardness, but it is not permissible to provide it directly to a religious community,” he said.
Prasad further criticised the Congress leadership, stating, “They haven’t learned their lesson despite facing multiple defeats. This reservation in Karnataka has been extended under the patronage of Rahul Gandhi. Siddaramaiah lacks the courage and political capital to make such an announcement independently. Rahul Gandhi believes he can lead through competitive vote-bank politics. The new standards Congress is setting in terms of appeasement and vote-bank politics are detrimental to the nation.”
He added that the new reservation policy highlights Congress’s appeasement agenda.”This issue is of Karnataka but it has nationwide implications. This also signals the mentality of Congress and Rahul Gandhi,” Prasad said.
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal echoed Prasad’s concerns, saying, “Some political parties do politics of appeasement. But PM Modi emphasizes gratification instead of appeasement.”
Congress’ Muslim League-Jinnah mindset: Shehzad Poonawalla
BJP Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also criticised the move, saying, “This represents Congress’ Muslim League-Jinnah mindset. Now even contracts will be given based on religious lines? We always feel that the contract for a road or a bridge should be awarded to the most competent contractor. Congress has a policy of ‘Muslims first, vote-bank first.’ SC, ST, and OBC communities suffer in this arrangement, as their share is being diverted in reservations and contracts.”
Poonawalla also referred to the Congress budget, stating, “We saw the ‘Jinnah budget’ being presented by Congress, where distinctions were made—Muslims getting security training, ₹50,000 for weddings, allowances and honorariums for spiritual leaders, funds for Waqf, and development of schools and scholarships in Muslim areas. PM Modi ensures that his schemes benefit all communities equally, while the Congress government is focused on vote-bank politics.”