I’m ready to talk to Raje, says Bainsla

In an apparent softening of stand, Gujjar leader Bainsla said he was prepared to hold talks with Rajasthan CM Raje.

In an apparent softening of stand, Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla, leading an agitation by the community pressing for ST status, said he was prepared to hold talks with Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje if she showed ‘inclination and a positive attitude’.

“Mukhyamantri manas to banye, main tayaar hoon (let the Chief Minister make up her mind for talks, I am ready)”, Bainsla, spearheading agitation for nine days, said over phone from Karwady where he is camping along with his supporters for the last nine days.

When it was pointed out to him that the state government has already recommended to the Centre 4 to 6 per cent reservation for Gujjars, he said he has not received any letter to this effect.

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In reply to a question, the Gujjar patriarch said as soon as he received the letter in which 6 per cent quota has been recommended he would call off the agitation.

Reminded that under Article 342 of the Constitution, only the Centre is empowered to take a decision on the matter, Bainsla said, “let the state government send the letter first, we shall see it”.

Asked when he would call off the agitation since the situation has become ‘chaotic’ and people have suffered, he said he was ready to call off the stir agitation and hold dialogue with the Chief Minister once he received the copy of the recommendation letter.

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