BJP, Congress trade barbs over Karnataka deputy CM’s remark about Constitution

Tempers flared in Parliament on Monday as leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress traded barbs over remarks Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar made about the Constitution a day earlier.

Soon after the proceedings in the Rajya Sabha commenced, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju demanded an explanation from Congress chief and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge of his party’s position on reservations for Muslims, reported ANI.

Rijiju claimed that Shivakumar had said the Congress would “change the Constitution to provide reservation to the Muslim community”. Kharge replied that nobody could alter the Constitution.

Shivakumar had on Sunday spoken about the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements Amendment Bill, 2025, at the News18 India Diamond States Summit 2025.

The bill provides for 4% reservation for Muslims and other minorities in the awarding of public contracts. It was approved by the state Cabinet on March 14 and tabled in the Karnataka Assembly on March 18.

Answering a question about the Constitution not allowing reservations based on religion, Shivakumar reportedly said: “I agree, let us wait and watch.”

“Let us see what the courts say,” said the Congress leader, according to The Hindu. “I know people will approach the court. Let us wait for the good day, good day will come. Lot of changes are there and the Constitution will be changing. There are judgements...

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