Hubballi (Karnataka): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said quota based on religion was unconstitutional. "The BJP will replicate the quota formula adopted by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai-led government in Karnataka," Shah added. "We gave tickets to candidates for May 10 Assembly polls in Karnataka based on merits of winnability. Tickets were not distributed based on majority or minority. Besides, nowhere a non-Lingayat candidate has replaced a Lingayat," said the Home minister.
Speaking about former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar for quitting the BJP and joining the Congress recently, Shah said, "Shettar will not be able to win polls this time. People of Hubballi-Dharwad region have always voted for BJP," he said, adding, "The formula of reservation that has been adopted by the Bommai government, would be implemented on the ground. The quota formula will also include the sub-category (internal reservation) among the Dalits. It is my assurance to the people of Karnataka," Shah said.