BJP backs quota but wants merit protected

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May 29, 2006 14:55 IST

Taking an official stand, Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday supported reservation in higher educational institutions even as it charged the United Progressive Alliance government with creating social tensions.

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The party also asked the Centre to ensure that merit was not squeezed while implementing the quota regime.

"The BJP had supported the Constitution amendment to provide reservations in higher educational institutions. However, while doing so, any attempt at divisiveness must be avoided. Social fabric of the society must not be damaged," the BJP president said.

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Addressing the party national executive for the first time after taking over as party president in January this year, Rajnath Singh conceded a 'dent in the image of the BJP' as a party with a difference and asked the leaders to introspect on it.

Apparently rattled by recent defiance, utterances and desertions by some senior leaders in the recent past, he warned that indiscipline at every level had to be dealt with a firm hand at all costs.

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"Otherwise, we too are destined to meet the fate of other parties," he cautioned.

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