Mamata defiant of HC order scrapping OBC status

Kolkata, NT Bureau: Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday asserted that she “will not accept” the Calcutta High Court order scrapping the OBC status of several classes in the state. She hinted that the government could challenge the order in the Supreme Court.

Addressing a poll rally, Banerjee said the OBC reservation will continue in the state, as the Bill concerned was passed within the framework of the Constitution. "If necessary, we will move a higher court (against the order)," the TMC supremo said.

Referring to the May 20 Calcutta High Court order restraining the BJP from publishing advertisements that violate the Model Code of Conduct, Banerjee claimed that such advertisements continued to appear and that she would file a defamation case of Rs 1000 crore against the saffron party.

Banerjee accused the BJP of conspiring to stall the OBC quota by using central agencies. "Some people have gone to the court, moved a petition to sabotage the interest of OBCs and then this development takes place. How can the saffron party show such audacity?” she said.

It would lead to Constitutional breakdown. Minorities can never touch the Tapashili or Adivasi reservation. But these mischievous people (BJP) get their work done through agencies — West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee

The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday struck down the OBC status of several classes in West Bengal, finding such reservations under an Act of 2012 to vacancies in services and posts in the state illegal. After its conspiracy in Sandeshkhali failed, the BJP is now plotting new conspiracies, she said.

"For vote politics, for staying in power for five years, you (BJP) are doing all these things," she said.

“I will file a defamation of Rs 1000 crore (against BJP) for peddling falsehood about their achievements and also for levelling false charges against me and my projects. I hadn't taken even one paisa in my entire political career. And I will distribute the entire amount among the people,” she said.