Bhatti has, for some time, been demanding reservations for the poor among upper castes and his main cavil has been that the Centre has not responded to Congress CM Ashok Gehlot’s recommendation of 14 per cent reservation for upper castes. Bhatti held the PM responsible, saying that since he had extended the quota system to the Jats, there was no reason why other upper castes couldn’t enjoy it as well. The BJP dissident, not satisfied with mere speechifying, had repeatedly heckled Vasundhararaje during her recent parivartan yatra in the state. And that is precisely when the lid was blown off the crisis: many of Bhatti’s followers, including some district party chiefs, were suspended.
Bhatti’s sacking has reportedly made the BJP state unit nervous. The leader, who has considerable clout over upper-caste voters, particularly Rajputs, has started a fast-unto-death with 1,000 supporters to press for upper caste quotas.
By Neelabh Mishra
