SP set for multi-pronged campaign on ‘OBC quota loot in BJP govt’

Lucknow: Hours after the state cabinet on Monday agreed to set up a commission to determine reservation for OBCs in the state’s three-tier Panchayati Raj institutions as mandated by the Supreme Court, the Samajwadi Party launched an offensive to highlight how the BJP govt has "robbed" the OBC community of its right to reservation.

The multi-pronged attack will include a focused press conference by party president Akhilesh Yadav packed with statistics and graphs backed by an audio-video campaign followed up by party workers going door to door informing members of the OBC community how the govt is manipulating numbers to deprive OBCs of reservation in a systematic manner.

The party has already released teasers on social media about a press conference on May 20, followed by a social media campaign, which is being given final touches. Party strategists agree that there is no direct connect between the OBC Commission and the reservation in jobs. They insisted that it is the right time to showcase how the BJP govt is "treating" the OBCs.

The SP plans to concise anomalies that the party highlighted from time to time related to govt recruitments in a planned manner, backing allegations with statistics. The party has repeatedly accused the BJP of denying reservation to OBCs and Dalits in govt jobs in general and appointment of professors and lecturers in universities and colleges in particular.

The party has listed anomalies in 27% quota for OBCs in 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. The party strategists are likely to use these instances to support their charge.

The campaign is likely to touch upon how the BJP, despite having committed to getting caste census done, will either delay or defer the exercise as the latest headcount of castes can result in expanding the OBC reservation. The SP strategists are convinced that one the caste data is available, the demand for proportionate reservations will increase, leaving the BJP uncomfortable.

Akhilesh condemns police action on lawyers

Lucknow: A delegation of Lucknow lawyers called upon Akhilesh Yadav to register its protest against the 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 police action.