BJP asks Centre to take a decision

NEW DELHI: Amid a stalemate over according Scheduled Tribe status to Gujjars, BJP on Tuesday continued to throw the ball in the Centre's court.

"A decision resolving the conflict has to be taken by the Centre," senior BJP leader L K Advani said at an ASSOCHAM function here.

"The issue should not be viewed as a political game between the Centre and the state governments," he said, adding the Rajasthan government would provide all the necessary statistics to the Centre for this purpose.

The Union Law Ministry yesterday said that the initiative for giving reservation to any community needs to be taken by the state.

The former Deputy Prime Minister hoped that the Rajasthan government would be able to control the situation.

The agitating Gujjar community continued their blockade in Rajasthan on Tuesday, leading to cancellations and diversions of trains.

They have been demanding Scheduled Tribe status for availing reservation benefits.