Naidu not for increasing seats to make way for quota

Even while opposing the UPA government’s proposal to increase the strength of the Parliament and state Assemblies to reserve 33 per cen...

Even while opposing the UPA government’s proposal to increase the strength of the Parliament and state Assemblies to reserve 33 per cent seats for women calling it ‘‘unconstitutional’’, TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu has sought a Constitutional amendment to preserve reservation in unaided professional colleges in the wake of the recent Supreme Court verdict.

In what could be heartening news for the SP, Naidu, who was in Delhi today, voiced his opposition to the new UPA formula on reservation of seats for women in the Paliament and the Assemblies.

‘‘We oppose any such move as it is against the spirit of the Constitution,’’ he said, and added, ‘‘We are against the increase of numbers in the Parliament and want the present structure to continue.’’

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In the same breath, he called for reservation of a different kind.

Leading a TDP delegation, Naidu today submitted two separate memoranda to President Abdul Kalam, and PM Manmohan Singh, urging the government to introduce amendment bills in the ongoing Monsoon Session to address the ‘‘gravity, seriousness and implications’’ of the SC verdict that rids self-financed educational institutions of quota obligations. ‘‘We have urged the government to initiate action and hope for a positive response,’’ Naidu said.

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