📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Subhashish Panigrahi
Politics
Supreme Court's 'Creamy Layer' Debate Splits NDA Over Chirag Paswan vs Jitan Manjhi
✍️ The Times of India
🗓 03 Sep 2026, 04:48 PM
👁 21
The Supreme Court's latest ruling on the 'creamy layer' clause has sparked a sharp divide within the NDA coalition, with leaders Chirag Paswan and Jitan Manjhi taking opposing stances.
The Supreme Court of India has issued a new judgment on the 'creamy layer' provision, a clause that limits the reservation benefits for high‑earning members of scheduled castes and tribes. The decision has immediately drawn attention from political leaders across the country.
In Bihar, the ruling has split the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Chirag Paswan, a prominent member of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, has expressed concerns that the new interpretation could undermine the party’s support base. Conversely, Jitan Manjhi, the former Chief Minister of Bihar and a key NDA ally, believes the court’s stance will strengthen the coalition’s position.
The disagreement has raised questions about the future of reservation policies and the stability of the NDA’s alliance structure. Analysts suggest that the debate could influence upcoming elections and the broader national conversation on affirmative action.
Both leaders are expected to present their arguments to the coalition at an upcoming meeting, while the Supreme Court’s decision remains in effect pending any appeal.
In Bihar, the ruling has split the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Chirag Paswan, a prominent member of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, has expressed concerns that the new interpretation could undermine the party’s support base. Conversely, Jitan Manjhi, the former Chief Minister of Bihar and a key NDA ally, believes the court’s stance will strengthen the coalition’s position.
The disagreement has raised questions about the future of reservation policies and the stability of the NDA’s alliance structure. Analysts suggest that the debate could influence upcoming elections and the broader national conversation on affirmative action.
Both leaders are expected to present their arguments to the coalition at an upcoming meeting, while the Supreme Court’s decision remains in effect pending any appeal.