NDA Split in Bihar: Leaders Clash Over Reservation Reforms

Differences within the NDA have come out in the open on the issue of reservation in Bihar. Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president and Union minister Chirag Paswan's opposition to the change in reservation has been met with a sharp retort from Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) president Santosh Suman. The war of words between the two leaders has intensified over'quota in quota'and sub-categorisation of SC / ST reservation. Santosh Suman clarified that he is not demanding abolition of SC / ST reservation or introduction of creamy layer. He says that the benefit of reservation should be extended to those communities through sub-categorisation within the SC / ST category, which are lagging behind even after decades. He referred to communities like Musahar, Bhuiyan, Halkhor, Nat and Dom and said that the social, educational and economic condition of these sections is very weak even today. Santosh Suman addressed Chirag Paswan and said that he is ready to resign if it comes to that. Chirag Suman said that his younger brother was ready to join him.