Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sambit Patra on Monday launched a scathing attack on Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, accusing him and the Congress party of attempting to divide India once again through their stance on constitutional changes and minority reservations.
Patra’s remarks came in response to Shivakumar’s recent statement regarding reservations for minorities in government contracts. The Karnataka Cabinet had earlier approved an amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act, proposing a 4% reservation for minority contractors.
Speaking to ANI, Sambit Patra alleged that Congress is pushing for Muslim reservations—a move he claimed was opposed by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
“Congress’ true face is exposed today. DK Shivakumar is not an ordinary leader; he is close to Rahul Gandhi. Nehru partitioned India for power, and today, the Gandhi family is doing the same. They are conspiring to change the Constitution to include Muslim reservations,” Patra asserted.
He further claimed that Congress was attempting a repeat of history, accusing Rahul Gandhi of seeking political relevance by dividing the nation.
“They want another partition of India because Rahul Gandhi is politically unfit. India will not tolerate this conspiracy to change the Constitution,” he added.
Shivakumar’s remarks, which suggested that the Constitution would undergo changes, sparked strong reactions from BJP leaders. However, he later clarified that the 4% reservation in government contracts was not exclusive to Muslims but extended to all minority communities and backward classes.
The Karnataka government is set to table the amendment in the Assembly, following its approval in a Cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on March 14.
This controversy adds to the ongoing political battle over constitutional changes and minority rights, with BJP leaders fiercely opposing any move that they claim alters Ambedkar’s vision for the country.
