New Delhi, Mar 21: BJP MP Sambit Patra on Friday took a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying he's unfit for sound political decisions and is resorting to appeasement after Karnataka's 4 per cent minority quota approval in contracts.

Addressing a press conference, Patra said, "Rahul Gandhi is unfit to make sound political decisions, which is why he's resorting to appeasement to further his political ambitions. As the scion of the Congress party, he knows very well that he will not be able to deliver politically, that is reason why he is using the crutches of appeasement to further his ambition in politics."

He also accused Rahul Gandhi and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of eating into OBC reservations by approving a 4 per cent minority quota for Muslims in contracts.

"On the advice and aid of Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah has eaten into the reservation which was due for the OBCs. This is not only unconstitutional but also a misadventure. This is the height of appeasement," Patra said.

He also claimed that the Congress-led government in Karnataka approved a 4 per cent minority quota in contracts by reducing the quota set for OBCs.

"The Karnataka assembly has passed a bill amending the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act, reserving 4 per cent of government contracts for Muslim contractors. This means that from now on, 4 per cent of civil contracts worth up to Rs 2 crore and goods and services contracts worth up to Rs 1 crore will be reserved for Muslim contractors. The Siddaramaiah government in Karnataka has given this reservation to Muslims, allegedly at the behest of Rahul Gandhi, effectively cutting the quota set for OBCs," Patra said.

According to the amended Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act, 4 percent of civil contracts valued at up to Rs 2 crore and goods and services contracts worth up to Rs 1 crore will be reserved for Minority contractors. (ANI)

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