"Congress is the New Muslim League" – Amit Malviya Slams Siddaramaiah Govt

BJP calls Karnataka’s move ‘unconstitutional,’ Congress defends policy as inclusive governance

Karnataka’s 4% Quota for Muslim Contractors Sparks Political Firestorm

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📍 New Delhi, March 15: The Karnataka government’s decision to reserve 4% of public works contracts for Muslim contractors has ignited a major political row, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Amit Malviya accusing the Congress of unconstitutional appeasement politics.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Malviya launched a scathing attack on the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government, alleging that their governance is driven solely by “corruption and appeasement.”

📢 "The Congress government in Karnataka focuses its entire attention on just two things—corruption and appeasement politics," Malviya wrote.

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🔹 BJP’s Strong Opposition: "Against the Constitution"

🔴 BJP’s Core Allegations:
✔️ The Constitution does not support schemes based on religion
✔️ Congress is playing communal politics for vote-bank gains
✔️ Public funds should not be allocated on religious lines

📢 "The decisions being made by the Congress government in Karnataka in favor of a particular religious community are completely unconstitutional. Congress is the New Muslim League," Malviya added.

Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal also echoed similar sentiments, stating:

📢 "Some political parties do politics of appeasement. But PM Modi emphasizes development instead of appeasement."

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🔹 The Policy: What Karnataka’s Cabinet Approved

✅ The Karnataka Cabinet cleared an amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act, introducing a 4% quota in government tenders for Muslim contractors.

✅ The reservation falls under a newly created Category-II B, specifically meant for Muslims.

✅ Scope: Applies to government departments, corporations, and institutions for procurement of goods and services up to ₹1 crore.

✅ Approval Process: The decision was taken on Friday in a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and is set to be tabled in the ongoing Assembly session for final approval.

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🔹 Congress Defends the Decision: "Social Justice, Not Appeasement"

🔵 Congress’ Justification:
✔️ The policy is part of inclusive governance
✔️ Backward Muslim communities deserve fair representation
✔️ The move aligns with existing SC/ST/OBC reservation models

📢 "This is not appeasement but ensuring equal opportunity. The BJP only talks about development but works against backward communities. This reservation will benefit underprivileged Muslim contractors who have been historically excluded," a Congress spokesperson said.

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🔹 The Bigger Political Battle Ahead

🗳 UPCOMING ASSEMBLY SESSION:
📍 The Karnataka Assembly will debate and possibly approve the KTPP amendment next week.
📍 BJP is expected to strongly oppose the move in the legislature and may challenge it legally.

🚨 ELECTION IMPACT:
✔️ Karnataka is a key battleground state, and this issue is expected to shape voter sentiment ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
✔️ BJP may use this as a campaign issue to mobilize Hindu voters against the Congress.