Nitish Kumar backs reservation for Jats, Marathas

Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday said he favours reservation for the Jats and Marathas and voiced his support for the Women`s Reservation Bill.

"I am a supporter of reservation for the Jats and Marathas," Nitish Kumar, who is also the Janata Dal-United President, told media persons here.

Nitish Kumar said he strongly supports the Women`s Reservation Bill passed by the Rajya Sabha and added that it should be tabled in the Lok Sabha as well.

"Our stand on the women`s reservation issue is clear. We will stand by it. I am a supporter of women`s empowerment."

The Chief Minister also said that there should be a national debate on the reservation issue.

Last week, Nitish Kumar stirred a controversy by demanding reservation in the private sector after his government approved reservation in contract appointments made by the state government through outsourcing. 

Responding to a question, Nitish Kumar said the BJP will win the Gujarat Assembly polls.

"Why the people (of Gujarat) will not vote for a party which has the Prime Minister from Gujarat?"