BJP Warns Karnataka Government Over Kannadiga Job Reservation Bill Backtrack

The opposition BJP in Karnataka has issued a warning to the Congress government in the state, stating that they must be ready for public backlash if they fail to present a bill mandating reservations for Kannadigas in the private sector during the ongoing Legislative session.

The party criticized Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for backtracking on the Karnataka State Employment of Local Candidates in the Industries, Factories and Other Establishments Bill, 2024. The bill was approved in a Cabinet meeting on Monday but was put on hold late Wednesday after facing opposition from the industry.

Siddaramaiah clarified on Wednesday that the draft bill, aimed at providing reservations for Kannadigas in private sector companies, industries, and enterprises, is still in the preparation stage. He stated that a comprehensive discussion will take place in the next Cabinet meeting to make a final decision.

BJP state president B Y Vijayendra, in a post on ‘X’, questioned the government’s actions, asking why they introduced the bill to provide employment to Kannadigas only to later retract it. He raised concerns about the impact on the lives of Kannadigas and asked if the government intended to disrespect them.

Vijayendra stressed that the government should present the job reservation bill for Kannadigas in the current session, as it offers hope to thousands of unemployed people in rural areas who have been unable to secure job opportunities despite being qualified. He warned that failing to do so would result in the government facing the anger of Kannadigas.Please remember the text below:

Vijayendra condemned the “cowardly decision” of putting the bill on hold, which he believes “insulted Kannada-Kannadiga-Karnataka”. The bill aims to provide employment to Kannadigas.

The BJP leader sought to know why the government, which had moved forward to address the demand of the pro-Kannada fighters after many years of struggle to protect the employment rights of the children of this land, gave up within a day.

Vijayendra alleged that the lobby of the anti-Karnataka forces, which suppress the self-respect of the country and the self-esteem of the Kannadigas, has prevailed over the chief minister, forcing him to take a “U-turn” three times within a day.

“The big ‘hand’ of Delhi must have tied the hands of the chief minister, fearing the split in the INDI Alliance. Otherwise, how can he take an escapist decision to sideline the bill that will improve the lives of Kannadigas?” the BJP state president said.

He also stated that the people of the state will never forgive the Congress leaders if the Congress government and the chief minister held back the “pro-Kannada bill” in an attempt to divert public attention and also mislead the investigation into the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation (KMVSTDC) and Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scams that have rocked the state, he said.