BJP accuses Congress of doing ‘contract jihad’ in Karnataka

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday (March 21, 2025) accused the Congress of doing “contract jihad” in Karnataka, stating that a Bill extending 4% reservation to the Muslim community in government contracts was passed in the State Assembly.

At a press conference, BJP MP and national spokesperson Sambit Patra alleged that the Congress was using appeasement in a bid to achieve its political ambitions and it was creating a division in the country.

“Today, it has started from 4% and tomorrow it can go up to 100%. In a similar way, in 1947 and before that, due to Nehruji’s ambition of becoming the Prime Minister, what had started as a mere spark ended in the country’s partition… today, Rahul Gandhi is following his footsteps….,” he said.

“This 4% Muslim reservation has been given under the OBC category… this is an infringement of the rights of OBCs of the country. All the communities from the OBC, ST, and SC communities should unite in solidarity against the decision of the Karnataka government and Rahul Gandhi,” he said.

He said on August 24, 2024, 12 Muslim MLAs of the Congress party in Karnataka had sought reservation for the community in government contracts, and their request was accepted by the State government following a consultation with, and approval of, Mr. Gandhi. He accused the Congress leader of being politically unfit.

The BJP leader said, “This year’s Karnataka Budget seemed more like a “Muslim” Budget, in which provisions for ₹6,000 monthly allowance has been made for Imams; 4% reservation in public construction contracts; ₹50,000 assistance to Muslims for marriage; ₹150 crore for the development and upkeep of Waqf properties and graveyards; ₹100 crore for Urdu schools; ₹50 lakh for Muslim cultural programmes; ITI colleges in Muslim majority areas; and 50% fee waiver for Muslim students…”.

“Above all, ₹1,000 crore has been allotted to develop Muslim colonies,” he said, stating that the State government’s decision for reservation on religious grounds was unconstitutional and it would be challenged in the court.