On Karnataka government's clearing of 4 per cent reservation for Muslim contractors, BJP Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said, this represents Muslim League-Jinnah mindset.

Talking to reporters, he said, "This represents Congress' Muslim League-Jinnah mindset. Now even contracts will be given based on religious lines?... We always feel that the contract of a road or a bridge should be given to the most competent contractor."

He said the Congress has a policy of Muslims first, vote bank first. Beacause of this, people belonging to SC, ST and OBC suffer. Their share is given either in reservation or in such contracts. "We saw Jinnah budget being presented by Congress, where a distinction is being made saying Muslims will get security training, Rs 50,000 for weddings, allowances and honorarium for spiritual leaders, money for Waqf and development of schools and scholarships in Muslim areas," he slammed, adding, "While PM Modi gives the benefit of his schemes to communities equally, the Congress government does vote bank politics."

Yesterday, the Karnataka Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has cleared a bill giving  a 4 per cent reservation for Muslims in government tenders of up to Rs 1 crore, alongside oppressed and backward classes.

This paved the way for an amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act, 1999, to be tabled in the ongoing Budget Session. The move follows demands from minority leaders for parity with SC, ST, and OBC contractors, whose tender limit has now been raised from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2 crore.

The Finance Department is said to have drafted the blueprint, with Law Minister H.K. Patil endorsing the change. The Siddaramaiah government views it as a step toward inclusive economic empowerment, aligning with its Ahinda (minorities, backward classes, and Dalits) agenda. However, the proposal has ignited fierce opposition from the BJP, which labels it “peak appeasement politics” and a violation of constitutional principles.