UNI

Surat, May 26: Refraining from taking a partial stand on the ongoing reservation issue, veteran socialist leader and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) convenor George Fernandes said the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government is using it for political gains.

Talking to reporters here this evening, Fernandes said the issue of reservation cannot be opposed in principle as it offers opportunties to the socially oppressed classes.

He said socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia had also supported reservation.

''Even the American government gave special opportunities to the underprivileged sections of its citizens,'' noted Fernandes.

However, he accused the UPA government of using the issue for political gains.

Fernandes said detailed discussions were necessary on the proposed reservation in the higher education sector.

On the round table conference on the Kashmir issue, the former defence minister said that solutions should not come by compromising national security.