Sack Arjun, Venkaiah tells PM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Calling the announcement on OBC quotas in academic institutions, made by Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh, a ‘‘clear-cut’’ violation of the model code of conduct, BJP national vice-president Venkaiah Naidu on Monday said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should drop Arjun Singh from the Cabinet.

‘‘Otherwise it will make a mockery of the Election Commission,’’ Naidu told a news conference here. Describing Singh’s announcement and his subsequent clarification as ‘‘cheap political gimmicks’’ made on the eve of elections to score political points, Naidu said the Election Commission should take action against him.

There is need for a thorough debate on the issue of OBC quotas. The BJP has not taken a stand on it yet, Naidu said. ‘‘Did the government not think it fit to discuss issue when the Parliament was in session,’’ he asked.

Naidu said that the divisive agenda of the UPA and the Left would push the nation to another division. The differences in the UPA are widening. There is no central figure who commands respect and has the ability to lead, he said.