Arjun surprises Congress with quota move

NEW DELHI: Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh caught the government and his own party unawares with his announcement on Wednesday proposing 49.5 per cent reservation in IIMs, IITs, and central universities.

According to a highly placed source in the government, Singh did not consult either the Prime Minister or the Congress leadership before making his announcement. “Arjun Singh is Arjun Singh. He’s a law unto himself,” the source remarked.

Singh’s bombshell is being seen in Congress circles as an attempt to get back in the limelight after a three-month hibernation forced by ill-health. Since January, Singh has hardly attended office and important files have been going to his house for clearance.

In the present proposal, Singh has gambled on the fact that no party can oppose reservations for the OBCs in today’s caste-driven politics. He is bolstered by the fact that an interpretation of Article 15(4) of the Constitution by a nine-judge bench allowed for caste-based quotas up to 50 per cent. So Singh’s proposal only needs Cabinet approval to become an order.

The reaction is yet to set in. The Congress leadership and the government are waiting to see what impact the proposal has on students and educational authorities. Also, the Election Commission is yet to decide whether Singh’s revelation violates the code of conduct.

Singh himself was aware that he was dangerously close to a violation. He confessed to journalists that he would make an official announcement only after the assembly polls.