New Delhi: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has hit back at the BJP over allegations that he called for changing the Constitution. Addressing reporters on Monday, Shivakumar dismissed the accusations, stating that his remarks were being deliberately misquoted and manipulated for political gain. He asserted that he had merely referred to changes that occur due to judicial rulings and not any direct attempt to alter the Constitution. “I have been in politics for 36 years, and I understand the Constitution better than Mr. Nadda,” he said, responding to BJP President JP Nadda’s sharp criticism in the Rajya Sabha. The controversy erupted as the Karnataka government passed a bill granting a 4% reservation for Muslims in public contracts, which the BJP has labeled as “minority appeasement.”
The BJP strongly opposed the new reservation policy, with Nadda declaring that the Constitution does not permit religion-based reservations. His remarks, coupled with a demand from Union Minister Kiren Rijiju for Shivakumar’s resignation, led to a heated parliamentary debate, with Congress leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, defending the decision. The bill, passed amid chaos in the Karnataka Assembly, amends the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (KTPP) Act, reserving 4% of civil contracts up to ₹2 crore and goods procurement contracts up to ₹1 crore for Muslim contractors. The BJP, calling the move unconstitutional, has vowed to challenge it in the Supreme Court and mobilize public opposition in Karnataka.
Despite BJP’s aggressive stance, the Congress remains firm, arguing that the reservation benefits all minorities and aligns with affirmative action principles. Shivakumar took a swipe at the BJP, saying, “They always oppose Congress policies but end up following them later.” The Karnataka government’s move has reignited the long-standing debate over religion-based reservations, with both parties using the issue to galvanize their voter base ahead of upcoming elections. Meanwhile, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya has promised relentless legal and political opposition to the bill, while Congress leaders have reiterated their commitment to inclusivity and constitutional principles.
