NEW DELHI: The women's reservation bill has triggered an OBC consolidation
across party lines, threatening to strain political tie-ups and raising the
prospect of realignment.
The protests against the introduction of the bill in the Rajya Sabha, which saw
RJD members joining hands with arch-rivals JD(U) and SP, extended outside
Parliament with members of the OBC dominated outfits holding a meeting to scale
up the resistance. The meeting, held at the residence of SP general secretary
Amar Singh, saw OBC members vowing to block the passage of the bill in its
current form.
While the legislation has provided an impetus to normalization of ties between
Yadav satraps Mulayam Singh and Lalu Prasad, it is proving to be the catalyst
for the coming together of the Mandal forces more than a decade after they
splintered, moving in separate ways. The resentment against the bill has the
potential to introduce tension among allies such as
Congress and RJD on the one hand and BJP and JD(U) on the
other, besides becoming a point of discord between SP and Left.
The escalating protests and the threat of an OBC backlash should sap the already
fragile resolve of the
government to force matters over the issue, dealing a blow to
those who want it to make a last-ditch effort for the passage of the bill before
the polls.
The OBC leadership sees women's reservation sans sub-quotas for OBCs and Muslims
as a sleight of hand and an upper caste conspiracy to reverse the electoral
gains chalked up by the Mandal forces. They also fear that a generic women's
bill will undercut the exclusive identity of OBC women, helping their more
advanced counterparts from among the upper castes to corner the bulk of quota.
The resentment was evident at the meeting with SP members calling for a review
of ties with Left to protest against the unilateral manner in which the "natural
ally" has pushed the quota legislation. "Since they seek our
support on all their pet concerns, such as the nuclear deal,
they should have taken us in confidence," argued the SP members.
The party is likely to discuss the issue at the meeting of its parliamentary
group on Thursday.
There was also anger against UNPA partner TDP which is supporting the bill,
while indications are that efforts will be made to get on board the DMK.
Sunday, 28 September 2008