BJP issues showcause notice to party MP Saini for comments opposing Jat Reservation

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday issued showcause notice to party MP Raj Kumar Saini for making comments `opposing` Jat reservation.Saini had earlier expressed objection over giving reservation to Jats and even threatened to resign if there was `any loss` to reservation quota for Other Backward Classes (OBC).

"In relation with the Jat unrest, we have spoken to the Centre and briefed them about the current situation there. Regarding the recent statements made by few party leaders over the current issue, the party has distanced itself from any leaders who have made comments against Jats. Even after continuous warnings, Raj Kumar Saini kept making controversial statements and the party has issued show cause notice to him over that," BJP leader Anil Jain told the media here.

He added that the BJP is not against any caste on in favour of any caste in particular and stated that Jats must be included in quotas.

Union Minister Birender Singh appealed to all protestors to come ahead and discuss their issues with the state government, so that the agitation ends and all their demands can be heard."I appeal to all the agitators to maintain calm and have a discussion with the leadership so that peace returns in Haryana.

The BJP is strictly in favour of reservation for the Jat community," Singh said.Jat leaders from Uttar Pradesh will meet Home Minister Rajnath Singh at 8 pm today to discuss the current state of unrest by the community.Earlier, agitating members of Jat community demanding reservation pelted stones at the residence of Raj Kumar Saini in Kaithal yesterday.

The police said that around 50 persons attacked Saini`s residence damaging window panes.Meanwhile, curfew had already been clamped in Rohtak, Bhiwani and Jhajjar towns in the wake of incidents of violence during the Jat agitation.

Violence escalated in different parts of the state after a mob in Rohtak district`s Meham area set a police station, a petrol pump and a government building on fire.

The army conducted a flag march in Rohtak, where three people were allegedly killed and 78 others injured in firing and clash between security personnel and Jats demanding reservation in jobs and education.

However, the army could not enter Rohtak initially as protesters had put up blockades at several places, forcing the authorities to air drop the personnel using helicopters.