Bainsla argued that OBCs and MBCs, who together constitute nearly 25% to 30% of the population in TSP areas, are “grossly underrepresented” in the open category. “When OBCs and MBCs enjoy reservation in the rest of the state, denying them reserved status in TSP areas is unjust and unacceptable,” he said, warning that the community would not tolerate anything less than a formal quota.The TSP areas include the full districts of Banswara, Dungarpur and Pratapgarh, along with parts of Udaipur, Rajsamand, Chittorgarh, Sirohi and Pali. The OBC Adhikar Manch (OAM) has been raising demands for the group’s reservation in Tribal Sub-Plan areas for the past 15 years, often in the face of apathy from other OBC organisations and functionaries from non-TSP regions.“With a more assertive approach to the issue for the first time, we are hopeful of finally achieving the goal of reservation,” said Naresh Patel, OAM coordinator in Banswara.The campaign to extend reservation benefits in TSP areas has also put the spotlight on internal differences within the BJP, with Udaipur MP Mannalal Rawat’s cautious remarks on the issue sparking debate within the party. Rawat maintains that any revision of reservation in Scheduled Areas must strictly adhere to Union govt rules and constitutional provisions.“I believe a detailed dialogue before launching such a campaign could have reduced confusion,” Rawat said, adding that since Bainsla is a BJP functionary, prior consultation with state and local party leadership, as well as elected representatives, would have been appropriate.He clarified that while social concerns should be addressed, any decision on reservation must follow constitutional norms and central guidelines.
Unease in BJP as quota push in TSP areas gathers momentum | Jaipur News
Jaipur: The demand to extend reservation benefits to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Most Backward Classes (MBCs) in Rajasthan’s Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) areas has gained fresh momentum, with the Gurjar Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti launching a statewide campaign over the issue Friday, triggering visible unease within the ruling BJP.The campaign is being led by one of the BJP’s own key functionaries, Vijay Bainsla, who is also the Samiti’s president. He is scheduled to launch a tour from Jan 25 to 29 to mobilise OBC and MBC communities across the state. The Samiti is exerting pressure on the Bhajan Lal Sharma govt to revise the existing framework of reservation in TSP regions, where reservation benefits are currently structured at 45% for Scheduled Tribes (STs), 5% for Scheduled Castes (SCs), and 50% for the open category.
