Main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party Monday demanded that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh clarify the position regarding the move to reserve seats in IITs, IIMs and medical courses in the wake of Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh "changing" his version.
"Arjun Singh announced reservation in the institutions for backward class students. For two days, he kept saying it was the prime minister's decision. On Sunday he has said no such decision has been taken." BJP president Rajnath Singh told reporters in Chhattisgarh before resuming his Bharat Suraksha Yatra.
He said if a senior cabinet minister changed his version in two days, the PM should clarify the position as it was a question of the government's credibility and dignity.
"It is a different matter that United Progressive Alliance's credibility has nose-dived in the last two years of the Congress-led coalition in power," Rajnath Singh hastened to add.
Rajnath Singh entered Jharkhand after two days tour of Chhattisgarh in course of his yatra which began on April 6 from Bhubaneshwar.
Throughout his yatra, Rajnath Singh has been addressing a series of public meetings touching on issues like internal security, price rise, Naxal violence and infiltration from Bangladesh.
Referring to Indo-Pak relations, Rajnath Singh was of the view that New Delhi should not have talks with Islamabad till President Musharraf ensured stopping of cross-border infiltration and terrorism.
Rajnath Singh said mid-term polls could not be ruled out in the country, but added the yatra was no way related to any snap polls that the country may have.
On his way to Ranchi, Rajnath Singh addressed roadside meetings at Gumla, Kolebira and Khunti, where people in large numbers turned up braving scorching heat. At all the places, Rajnath Singh was accorded the traditional tribal welcome.