New Delhi [India], March 15 (ANI): Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Indresh Kumar on Saturday said that the country's progress was only possible when everyone felt like an Indian, as this would wipe out communal riots and politics based on religion.

'If we all have this feeling that we are Indian, we were, and we will continue to be - it will put an end to communal riots and politics based on religion and then only the country will move forward. No one should try to divide this nation,' Kumar told ANI.

In a veiled dig, the RSS leader accused the opposition parties of engaging in 'vote ki raajneeti (politics based on votes), saying that many parties were trying to create a divide based on religion and caste.

'Because of 'vote ki raajneeti', many of the parties are against the fact that we all are Indians. Hence, they are trying to create a division based on religion and caste,' Kumar added.

Official sources said his reaction comes after the state cabinet approved an amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act, which aims to provide 4 per cent reservation in tenders to Muslim contractors.

The decision was taken on Friday in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the Cabinet Hall of the Vidhan Sabha. Official sources added that the amendment will be made after the KTPP act is tabled in the ongoing assembly session.

Earlier today, BJP National Spokesperson Shahzad Poonawalla lashed out at the Karnataka cabinet's decision to give four percent reservation to Muslim contractors in tenders. He stated that the Congress party had broken every level of appeasement.

He alleged that those who discuss the Constitution are making reservations based on religion by opposing Dr BR Ambedkar. Poonawalla further said that earlier, it was believed that competent contractors would build bridges, but now the people will have to see the person from whom religion has built them.

'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. Congress has a policy of Muslims first, vote bank first... SC, ST and OBC suffer in this; their share is given either in reservation or in such contracts', Poonawalla told ANI.

Speaking to ANI, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday clarified that the state government's decision to provide a four per cent reservation in government contracts is not exclusive to Muslims but extends to all minority communities and backward classes.

'Four per cent reservation is not just for Muslims but all minority communities and backward classes,' he said. (ANI)