Had Ambedkar not been there, Nehru would not have allowed reservation for SC/ST: PM

In Motihari, he said, “Those who brought jungle raj are speaking one lie after another on reservation. The truth is that had there been no Ambedkar, Nehru would not would not have allowed quota for SC/ST.” He added that the first Indian PM even wrote letters to this effect to chief ministers.

“Right from Nehru to Rajiv Gandhi, they were opposed to OBC reservation. Now they (Congress and its allies) are left with only one vote bank,” he said. “SC/ST se vote cheen kar vote jihad walon ko dena chahte hai (they want to snatch the quota from SCs/STs and give it to those who do vote jihad).”

He said the Constitution does not permit quota on religious grounds, but “these people want to change the Constitution”.

Invoking Mahatma Gandhi, the PM said he comes from Bapu’s birthplace in Gujarat, and has come to Champaran to seek the blessings of people. “Bapu was a great votary of cleanliness. It was only after I, the son of poor parents, came to power that each household got a toilet,” he said.

Taking a dig at RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav without naming him, Modi said, “I have heard someone going around, telling people that I would be forced to go on bed rest after 4 June. But I wish no one has to go to bed rest in the country. I wish an energetic life to everyone. But then, what can you expect from one the successor of jungle raj. I may be an eyesore for my opponents but Modi dwells in the hearts of people.”