13 Jun. 24: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, faces internal discord as key allies, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), push for Muslim reservations in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra respectively. This move stands in stark contrast to the BJP’s staunch opposition to religion-based quotas.
Following the allocation of portfolios to 71 ministers, the TDP, led by N. Chandrababu Naidu, reiterated its commitment to a 4% reservation for Muslims in Andhra Pradesh. The party secured 16 Lok Sabha seats, making it the second-largest party in the NDA after the BJP, and won 135 out of 175 seats in the Andhra Pradesh legislative assembly. Naidu, who has been reinstated as Chief Minister, emphasized the TDP’s dedication to maintaining the existing reservation policy for Muslims, which has been in place for two decades.
In an interview, Naidu’s son, Nara Lokesh, underscored the party’s focus on job creation and uplifting marginalized communities, stating that the reservation is aimed at social justice, not appeasement. “Minorities in the state have the lowest per capita income. Our goal is to alleviate poverty among these communities,” Lokesh asserted.
Throughout the election campaign, Chandrababu Naidu consistently voiced his support for the 4% reservation for Muslims, despite opposition from key BJP leaders. He reaffirmed this stance in various media interactions and on social media, emphasizing the TDP’s role in fighting for these reservations in the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, the NCP in Maharashtra is demanding a 5% reservation for Muslims in education and government jobs. NCP Vice President Saleem Sarang criticized the lack of Muslim representation in political leadership, suggesting it might be a deliberate exclusion.
Prime Minister Modi and senior BJP leaders, including Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, have repeatedly opposed Muslim reservations during their election campaigns. Modi has stated unequivocally that he will not permit such quotas, arguing that they divert resources meant for other backward classes.
In the context of legal frameworks, Muslim reservations fall under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category in several Indian states based on socio-economic indicators. Despite attempts to secure reservations through various ordinances and legislation, these efforts have faced significant judicial challenges. The Andhra Pradesh High Court struck down previous attempts, and the matter remains pending before the Supreme Court.
The divergence in views on Muslim reservations within the NDA highlights a significant ideological rift. Analysts suggest that this issue could strain the coalition, particularly if regional parties with substantial Muslim voter bases oppose the BJP’s stance. The TDP and NCP’s push for inclusive development and social justice underscores the complex dynamics within the NDA as it navigates these contentious issues.
