New Delhi, Jan 9: With Assembly elections approaching in Delhi, AAP leader and former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal accused the BJP-led Central government on Thursday of failing to keep its promise regarding reservations for the Jat community in the capital.
During a press briefing, Kejriwal stated that he had contacted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the inclusion of Delhi’s Jat community in the Central OBC list.
He further claimed that the Centre has misled the community for a decade, not delivering on their commitments.
“In 2015, the BJP invited Jat leaders to the prime minister’s residence and promised that Delhi’s Jat community would be included in the Central OBC list. Union Home Minister Amit Shah repeated this promise in 2019. Yet, no action has been taken,” Kejriwal explained.
He raised concerns about the disparity, questioning why Jat students from Rajasthan receive reservations at Delhi University (DU) while those from Delhi do not.
“Numerous Jat students in Delhi struggle to gain admission to DU simply because they are not included in the Central OBC list,” he elaborated.
Kejriwal also alleged that although Delhi’s Jats are recognized as OBC within the state, the Central government has failed to extend those benefits to them.
“This is pure betrayal. The Centre must add Delhi’s Jat community to the OBC list so they can receive reservations in Central government jobs and college admissions,” asserted the AAP leader.
Kejriwal emphasized that Central agencies like the MCD, DDA, and PWD operate widely in Delhi and that including Jats in the OBC list would present significant opportunities for them. He vowed to continue advocating for the community’s rights until their demands are addressed.
The 70-member Delhi Assembly elections are set for February 5, with results to be announced on February 8. (PTI)
