By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Kolkata: Two months on since Left Front government of West Bengal announced to give 10% reservation to Muslims but no development has been seen on the ground towards its implementation till the date. It seems it is sleeping on its February decision and wants to cash in on just the decision. This is evident from the Left leaders election meetings for coming civic body elections where they say they will implement it very soon.
Well aware of the fact that Muslims gave it a big jolt in last Lok Sabha elections, the state government is trying its best to woo Muslims by announcing quick implementation of promised reservation for them in every meeting with an eye on the elections for 82 civic bodies scheduled next month and Assembly elections next year.
Chief Minister Mr. Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee yesterday said that his government is working on fast track for immediate implementation of 10% reservation for Muslims. Above all, he strongly advocated for the reservation for Muslims which was never heard earlier from him and any Left leader.
“If there can be reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, why can’t Muslims be provided with the same as they are also backward?” he argued. He was speaking at a program organized by the West Bengal Minorities Development and Finance Corporation.
He further said that the condition of minorities especially Muslims is worse in all over the country and a society can never progress with backwardness of such a large number of people. So, there is a need to work for their development.
He also announced that in the 12 districts where the percentage of minority population is higher, the state government would spend Rs 500 crores under central government’s scheme Multi-Sectoral Development Program.
Notably, under pressure of Muslim organizations and leaders the West Bengal government announced in first week of February to give 10% reservation for Muslims in jobs to win back their votes. Muslims largely did not vote for Left in last Lok Sabha elections that is considered to be main reason for the defeat of the party.