PM Narendra Modi's twist to quota row: Lalu Prasad, Nitish Kumar stealing reservations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing a rally in Bettiah on Tuesday once again accused Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad of plotting to steal five per cent each of reservation meant for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs and EBCs.

Also Read: Will never allow quotas on religious lines, says PM Modi

In an interview with Karan Thapar on To The Point, JD-U MP Pavan Kumar Varma was asked if the Prime Minister was right in accusing Nitish and Lalu of plotting to steal reservations.

"Certainly not. It's one of those fantastically cynical confabulations that are not unusual of the Prime Minister," Varma said.

"Nitish Kumar had held a press conference on Monday in which he clarified and reiterated that he is completely beholden to the constitutional position in this matter, which does not allow for reservation of minorities, and so long as that position holds, that is what the party is subscribing to," he stated.

He added that going by his own assessment it looks like the Prime Minister found himself and his party on the back-foot because of the comment made by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra was asked on what basis the Prime Minister made the claim, and what proof he had of Nitish and Lalu wanting to reduce the quota.

"The PM made the statement based on past history. Nitish and Lalu have very influential friends in the Congress. The Congress was the one which tabled the Ranganath Commission report," he said.

Joining the deabte was Sociologist Shiv Vishwanathan and Dalit activist Kancha Ilaiah.

Watch the whole debate by clicking the video below: