Editorial, The Times of India, 12 February 1991
...It is not that a scheme for the reservation of 60 per cent of party posts to a rainbow coalition comprising scheduled castes and tribes, backward castes, minorities and women is automatically suspect. In the context of a recognised need to make democracy and political participation more broad-based, few are likely to object to affirmative action per se...
The problem, however, rises with the assumptions behind the... 'equity politics'... This appeal to primordialism is not accidental. With the 'nationalist' platform already appropriated by the Congress and, via Hindutva, by the BJP, Mr. Singh, it would seem, has consciously opted to project a vision of India where narrow and fragmented self-identities—backwards, Muslims etc.—rather than a common citizenship are at the centre of politics... That this strategy of divisiveness masquerading as social radicalism will enhance the Janata Dal's distinctiveness is undeniable. But... the casualty will not be merely the Congress or the BJP... It is a blueprint for the emotional Balkanisation of Indian society.
Editorial, The Hindustan Times
...The Janata Dal National convention in Puri reflected the anxieties of the party on holding together and the need to exploit the emotive platforms of Mandal and Masjid for electoral dividends... The party's resolve to continue the struggle for social justice and secularism was reiterated... Mr. V.P. Singh's attempts to corner the limelight by elevating Mandal as the new cornerstone of equity in all spheres of public life seem to have caught the leadership off guard... With some radical amendments to the party constitution, reserving 60 percent posts in the organisation for Scheduled Castes and Tribes, backward classes, minorities and women. By suggesting that eligibility for three of the top four party posts thus earmarked for 'submerged segments of society' be decided on the basis of an income ceiling and a minimum two-year tenure for the office-bearers, Mr. Singh has... sought to put himself on a pedestal...
...The Janata Dal has sought to reaffirm its commitment to secularism by identifying the BJP as the greatest threat to the country's unity and integrity. The attempt to consolidate its Muslim constituency further is evident from the... criticism of the refuelling of American planes... The party's resolve to mobilise people for joint mass action on issues like Mandal only underlines Mr. Singh's determination to continue with his patently divisive policy as an article of faith, that in his view admits of no rethinking...