In a clear indication that the Gurjjars will back the BJP in the coming Assembly elections in Rajasthan, the Gurjjar Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti (GASS), lead by Colonel Kirori Singh Bainsla, has accused the Congress of “playing politics” and creating roadblocks in the process of granting ST status to the community. Bainsla has sought the intervention of the PM and President in clearing the Bill giving 5 per cent reservation to the Gurjjars. The Bill has been pending with the Rajasthan Governor for nearly three months.

“The Bill has not been cleared because of the political reasons. This is not at all acceptable to us. We will wait for 15 days before taking a decision on our next move,” Bainsla said. Accusing the Congress of influencing the Governor for political gains, he said similar Bills were promptly cleared in states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Samiti vice-president Hari Prasad warned that the Congress party would have to pay a heavy price if the Gurjjars’ demands were not met. “The Congress-appointed Governor is not clearing the Bill. The party will have to face consequences,” Prasad said.

Although maintaining all along that the Gurjjar Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti is a non-political organisation, the Gurjjars made it clear that they would help the party which would ensure reservation for them.

“At present, discussions are on at various levels in Rajasthan and other parts of the country among Gurjjars. We will support whichever party gives us reservation. But I will not personally join politics,” said Bainsla, adding that he had already met the Governor and requested him to give his assent to the Rajasthan SC/ST/OBC/Special Backward Category and EBC Bill.