BENGALURU, 16 MARCH

The government's recent decision to allocate 4 per cent reservations for minorities in government contracts has ignited debate, with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar responding to accusations of appeasement politics from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Shivakumar emphasised that the reservation is intended for all minorities, not exclusively Muslims.

Addressing the media at the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee's office, Shivakumar clarified that the contracts are limited to a maximum of Rs 2 crores. He noted, "The reservation of contracts for minorities has precedence; similar arrangements have historically been made for SC/ST communities. This initiative encompasses all minorities."

Confronted with the BJP’s portrayal of the reservation as appeasement, he countered: "They also need livelihood, right? The BJP must keep remembering us; then only will we become stronger."

On another matter, Shivakumar is scheduled to represent the Karnataka government at a delimitation meeting called by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on 22 March in Chennai. The meeting seeks to unite various political leaders against the central government's three-language formula in education and the delimitation exercise, which Stalin has described as an "assault on federalism."

Furthermore, Shivakumar confirmed that the state government is prepared to conduct overdue municipal elections, stating, "We have called for a meeting of past BBMP candidates from the Congress party to gather feedback before consulting candidates from all parties." Dates for the elections remain unannounced.