EWS Quota Verdict: Why Is Congress In A Tizzy Over Supreme Court’s Verdict?
Delhi, 14th November 2022: The Supreme Court, on November 7, delivered a landmark judgment on the validity of 10 per cent reservation in jobs and admissions to the economically weaker sections (EWS). The Supreme Court has said that the reservation provision made through the 103rd constitutional amendment is valid. Political movements started after this decision. On one hand, the Supreme Court’s decision on the reservation is paving the way for the BJP to win votes in the Gujarat and Himachal assembly elections. On the other hand, Congress seems to be confused about this issue.
When the Supreme Court ruled on the EWS reservation, Congress welcomed it. But for the past few days, Congress seems to be preparing to file an objection regarding this decision. Why is Congress confused on this issue in the chaos of elections?
Voices are rising from southern states against EWS reservation. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin presided over an all-party meeting in Chennai along with several senior leaders from the South, including the Congress, to reject the 103rd Constitutional Amendment. While expressing a different view from Congress, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said that he is against 10 per cent reservation for economically weaker sections, as it is divisive. Amid opposition to EWS reservation from leaders of southern states, especially Tamil Nadu, the Congress on Saturday said it was reconsidering or taking a political review of the decision given strong objections.
General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said, “We agree to ten per cent for the demand of all parties. But, the five judges of the Supreme Court have presented their judgments in different lights, which is a party study.” The Congress is planning to file objections to the exclusion of SCs, STs and OBCs from the EWS quota soon. EWS quota is 10 per cent reserved. In the southern states, Congress is also taking a legal opinion besides considering agitation on the issue.
A crisis is brewing before the Congress – if Congress supports the EWS reservation, the activists in the southern states will be upset, and the Bharat Jodo Yatra of the Congress will suffer. The results of this can also be seen in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Therefore, a challenge has arisen in front of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.
