Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot`s bid
to resolve through dialogue the standoff over Gujjars` demand
for quota in state jobs today received a cold response from
their leader Kirori Singh Bainsla, who continued his sit-in.
Bainsla, who launched a protest march yesterday to step
up pressure on Rajasthan government over their demand for five
per cent reservation in government jobs, is sitting on a
dharna along with hundreds of supporters at a college ground
in Hindon, 350 kms from here.
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot last night invited Bainsla
for talks. The gujjar leader had last month too announced a
march to Jaipur but it was postponed after government invited
him for talks.
"Gujjars are tired of repeated talks and want to
settle the demand right on the spot," Jagram Singh, a close
aide of Bainsla said on phone from Hindon, over the
government`s latest invitation for dialogue
"Protestors asked Bainsla to stay back, and anyone who
wants to hold talks should come at this place," Singh said.
"The state government should first meet the Gujjars`
demand of five per cent quota in state jobs as promised by the
Chief Minister on April 1 last," Singh said, adding the
time limit of one week which the two sides had agreed to had
already expired.
Meanwhile, Karauli Collector Neeraj K Pawan was holding
talks with Bainsla and trying to convince him to accept
government`s invite.
Pawan said that the talks were being
held in positive mood and now the Gujjar leader has to take
final decision on accepting the invitation.
Energy Minister Jitender Singh, who is the government
intermediary in the matter, has also appealed to the Gujjars
to maintain peace and harmony in the state.
Amid tight security, hundreds of Gujjars led by
Bainsla, yesterday took out a march from Gudla village
in Karauli district and halted at the college ground in the
evening.
PTI
