Hours after the state cabinet on Monday agreed to establish a commission to determine reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the state's three-tier Panchayati Raj institutions, as mandated by the Supreme Court, the Samajwadi Party (SP) launched an offensive to highlight how the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has allegedly 'robbed' the OBC community of its right to reservation.
Multi-Pronged Attack Strategy
The multi-pronged attack includes a focused press conference by party president Akhilesh Yadav, packed with statistics and graphs, backed by an audio-video campaign. This will be followed by party workers going door-to-door to inform members of the OBC community about how the government is allegedly manipulating numbers to deprive OBCs of reservation in a systematic manner.
The party has already released teasers on social media about a press conference scheduled for May 20, followed by a social media campaign, which is being given final touches. Party strategists acknowledge that there is no direct connection between the OBC Commission and reservation in jobs. However, they insist that it is the right time to showcase how the BJP government is 'treating' the OBCs.
Highlighting Anomalies in Recruitment
The SP plans to present anomalies that the party has highlighted from time to time related to government recruitments in a planned manner, backing allegations with statistics. The party has repeatedly accused the BJP of denying reservation to OBCs and Dalits in government jobs in general, and particularly in the appointment of professors and lecturers in universities and colleges.
The party has listed anomalies in the 27% quota for OBCs in the recruitment of lekhpals. Instances were highlighted where vacancies were notified in parts in such a manner that it left no or little scope for reserved categories to contest for a seat. The party also focused on the 'Not Found Suitable' clause, alleging that it was mostly used for reserved candidates. Party strategists are likely to use these instances to support their charge.
Caste Census Concerns
The campaign is likely to touch upon how the BJP, despite having committed to conducting a caste census, will either delay or defer the exercise, as the latest headcount of castes could result in expanding OBC reservation. SP strategists are convinced that once caste data is available, the demand for proportionate reservations will increase, leaving the BJP uncomfortable.
Akhilesh Yadav Condemns Police Action on Lawyers
In a separate development, a delegation of Lucknow lawyers called upon Akhilesh Yadav to register their protest against alleged police high-handedness during an anti-encroachment drive, in which their makeshift chambers were removed from outside the district court compound on Sunday. The delegation, led by advocates SP Singh, Shubhangi Dwivedi, Sonam Singh, and Shalini Sonkar, informed Akhilesh how lawyers were 'humiliated, lathi-charged, and their chambers were razed'. Akhilesh expressed his support to the lawyers and condemned the police action.
