TMC transferring SC, ST, OBC reservations to Muslims: PM Modi in Bengal

Addressing a mass gathering in Mathurapur, Modi accused the TMC, spearheaded by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, of violating the ideals of the Constitution.

Modi said, "TMC is openly violating the ideals of our Constitution. Our Constitution provides reservations for the marginalized sections of society. TMC overnight granted OBC status to the entire Muslim community, thereby transferring the reservations meant for SCs, STs and OBCs to Muslims."

"The Calcutta High Court has quashed this decision of the Bengal government. TMC cannot go against the Court orders, yet is willing to lie to the Muslims for the sake of appeasement," he added.

Modi's remark comes more than a week after the Calcutta High Court cancelled all Other Backward Classes (OBC) certificates issued in West Bengal after 2010, calling them "illegal".

The court struck down a reservation for several communities as Other Backward Classes under a new law of the state government passed in 2012.

Mamata Banerjee, a fierce opponent of BJP and PM Modi, said she doesn't accept the court order claiming it was manipulated by the saffron party.

"PM Modi had claimed that Muslims after winning will cancel the reservations for Tapashilis. It was a divisive agenda again. And this is what they got the court to do today. I respect the courts.

"But I do not accept the judgment that says Muslims should be kept out of OBC reservation. OBC reservations will continue. We will go to a higher court if need be," Mamata said.

Hitting out at specific judges of the High Court without naming, the Chief Minister said, "One judge is saying, 'I am an RSS person', another one joins the BJP… How can you be a judge this way and preside over courts?"

The seventh and final phase of elections will be held on June 1. The results will be declared on June 4.