Bengaluru: The simmering tussle between Scheduled Caste Right and Left sects over internal reservation has widened faultlines within chief minister Siddaramaiah’s cabinet, placing the govt in a tight corner ahead of a crucial decision on filling thousands of vacancies. Differences have surfaced within Congress, with ministers from Left and Right sects taking divergent positions on how the SC quota should be distributed. Pressure is set to intensify on the streets as both sects have announced protest programmes over the next week. Groups representing the Right sect are planning a massive rally on March 26, a day before the special cabinet meeting to thrash out the issue. Ministers identified with the Left sect, including KH Muniyappa (food and civil supplies) and RB Thimmapur (excise), had publicly raised concerns over the reservation formula. On the other hand, ministers associated with the Right sect, including home minister G Parameshwara and IT-BT and RDPR minister Priyank Kharge, have conveyed their reservations to the CM. The disagreement has complicated the govt’s plan to fill some 56,000 govt vacancies under the existing reservation framework — a reduced 15% quota for SCs and 3% for STs. Sources say the recruitment process cannot move forward unless the dispute is resolved. “Pressure on the govt is high. We have to ensure consensus before proceeding,” said one minister. The divide has now prompted a group of ministers from the Right sect to seek an audience with the CM on Monday evening. The ministers, including representatives from Bhovi and Lambani communities in the cabinet, are expected to press for a clear formula. “If the CM does not agree to a formula where quota is equally distributed between both sects, then the Right sect ministers will likely boycott the special cabinet meeting,” said a minister. The govt is understood to be examining a matrix under which Right and Left sects would get 5.5% each, while Bhovi, Lambani, Korcha and Korma communities would together receive 3%, and the remaining 1% would go to 59 of the most backward SC communities. But that proposal has already drawn objections. Kannada and culture minister Shivaraj Tangadagi reportedly demanded 4% reservation for the four “touchable” communities. Dalit Sangharsh Samiti activists say rifts within the govt are linked not only to the reservation formula but also to the existing roster system governing recruitment. Senior DSS leaders say the present roster structure has led to resentment among many SC sub-groups. “While everyone has agreed upon internal reservation, the prevailing roster system for SC groups has created massive unrest,” said DSS convenor Indhudhar Honnapura. He said the organisation is attempting to mediate the dispute and has proposed an alternative framework to the chief minister. Meanwhile, BJP warned of a statewide agitation if the govt fails to implement internal reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs) in line with the Justice Nagamohan Das Committee report and directions of the Supreme Court. Former CM and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai said there was no need for a special cabinet meeting to implement the measure. Bommai accused the govt of being “unjust” to SCs and STs and alleged that nearly Rs 60,000 crore earmarked for their welfare had been diverted. He also claimed that Rs 441 crore meant for OBC welfare was used for the caste census.
