Odisha Minister challenges BJP, Cong to field 27% OBC candidates in elections

Agriculture and Farmer Empowerment Minister Arun Kumar Sahoo of Biju Janata Dal announced that the party would field 27 per cent candidates from Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the upcoming elections, including Panchayat polls and urged BJP and Congress to follow suit.

Bhubaneswar (Odisha): A couple of days after demanding caste-based census for socially and educationally backward classes (SEBC)s, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) here on Friday announced to field 27 per cent candidates from Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the upcoming elections, including Panchayat polls.

This was announced by Agriculture and Farmer Empowerment Minister Arun Kumar Sahoo and Co-operation Minister R N Swain at a press conference.

“It is a historic day for the people of Odisha, especially those who have been neglected. The BJD has decided to reserve 27 per cent of the party tickets for OBC candidates in Panchayat or any other election in the state,” said Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain.

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The ruling party's move comes barely three days after a delegation of the BJD MPs met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in his Parliament chamber and submitted a memorandum seeking legislation to raise the quota for OBCs in the state.

Minister Arun Sahoo asked the BJP and Congress, which have been criticising the ruling party for not implementing 27 per cent reservation for OBCs in employment and education, to follow suit if they really cared for this neglected population. However, criticising the announcement, BJP and Congress asked the ruling party to ensure OBC reservation in education and jobs first.