Saini advocates abolition of RS

Sunit Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, August 28

BJP MP from Kurukshetra Raj Kumar Saini, who has been the Jats’ target for his alleged remarks against their community, addressed his first major public meeting in the Jat heartland of Rohtak today.

A sizeable gathering turned up for the event organised under the aegis of the Loktantra Suraksha Manch.

The BJP leader exhorted his supporters to put up a united fight for equality and focus on ‘Mission 2019’ (next elections). He asked them not to be afraid of the “powerful people” (in an apparent reference to Jats), and remain cool in their approach.

Saini maintained that he had never passed remarks against any community nor had he opposed the grant of reservation to Jats. “I had only stated that if reservation can be wrested by using muscle power and blocking of roads, 100 per cent seats/jobs should be reserved for members of all communities,” he said.

Nonetheless, he took a jibe at the Jats, stating that “people have reached the moon while some are striving hard to attain backward status.”

The MP said he could not come to Rohtak after the February agitation and violence as there were restrictions on him.

Saini invited the people for the “samanata rally” slated to be organised at Kurukshetra on November 28.

The BJP leader surprised the gathering as well as newsmen as he questioned the relevance of the Rajya Sabha and even stated that it should be abolished. He termed Rajya Sabha membership “a backdoor entry into the legislature attained by rejected leaders on the basis of money power.”

Maintaining that the MNREGA scheme was riddled with corruption, Saini advocated the provision for “one family, one job” to end unemployment and discrimination.

Ragni that said it all  

A Haryanavi ragni presented by a folk artiste just before Kurukshetra Raj Kumar Saini’s address charged up the atmosphere at the rally venue. The live rendition of the ragni, which went like “Raj Kumar Saini ji, sun lo dukhdey mhaare, Aarakshan ke naam pe kitne zulm guzaarey…” was abruptly stopped following the intervention of administrative officials.