In a guarded response ahead of the UP polls where the backward caste vote will play a definitive role, the BJP reacted to the Supreme Court putting on hold OBC reservation in central educational institutions by saying the government had not done its homework and there was need to take a comprehensive view of the entire issue, without compromising on merit.

Ravi Shankar Prasad, the BJP’s national spokesperson said while his party supported reservation for socially and educationally backward classes, including SCs and STs, with due recognition being given to merit, the government’s lack of homework showed in this instance.

“We feared that social justice would become a victim of one-up manship and competitive politics of UPA ministers, and this has been proved right. Proper material was not presented and the government created a mess,” Prasad said.

The BJP, which supports affirmative reservation on the basis of economic criteria without compromising merit had said the move had the potential to create social tensions. Besides, the BJP opposed the UPA’s decision to abolish the NDA-appointed committee to look into reservations for economically weaker sections. The response comes against the backdrop of the manner in which the party has positioned itself for the UP polls, hoping to take advantage of the anti-incumbency sentiment. That is also reflected in the fact that it has fielded 150 backward caste candidates.