The BJP's Telangana unit Tuesday took exception to criticism against the party-led NDA government at the Centre that the move to provide quotas to economically backward sections was an "election stunt".

"Some parties are speaking today. (They say) this is election stunt, the decision was taken in a political angle. The parties were in power.Why you could not do it?

Strange thing is, there are great people who sought not 10 per cent, but 20 per cent for poor in upper castes," he told reporters here.

BSPs late supremo Kanshi Ram and Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav had also spoken in favour of providing "reservations to the poor in upper castes," he said.

Terming the NDA governments decision to provide quotas to the economically backward sections as 'historic' and 'courageous', Laxman said it would help in eliminating inequalities in the society.

Though the decision was not a new one made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it was Modi who demonstrated courage to implement it, he said.

Former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao made an effort when he was in office, but the Supreme Court had struck it down then, he said.

Though Supreme Court clearly said the court would have no objection to give reservation if it is proved that economically backward sections in upper castes are less in number in government jobs and educational institutions, the Congress did not act on it, he claimed.

The Congress indulged in divisive politics in the name of caste and religion, but made no effort to remove caste discrimination or economic inequalities, he alleged.

Hitting out at Asaduddin Owaisi for his comments that the Constitution does not permit reservations on the basis of economic backwardness, Laxman said the AIMIM presidenthad sought increase of reservation (to Muslims) from four per cent to 12 per cent though religion-based reservation is not there in the Constitution.

"You (Owaisi) are unable to digest" when the government tried to remove inequalities without affecting the existing quotas, he said.

The TRS government in Telangana, which had proposed increase in quotas for backward Muslims, should not provide reservation on the basis of religion, Laxman said.

The BJP leader demanded withdrawal of ordinance issued by the state government reducing reservation for backward classes in local body elections (as the quotas cannot exceed 50 per cent).

About BJP MLA Raja Singh's comments that he would not take oath with Mumtaz Ahmed Khan of AIMIM in the Chair as the pro tem Speaker in the Legislative Assembly's first session after the Assembly polls, Laxman said the MLA would speak on the issue.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)