New Delhi: In a bid to woo the Jat community, particularly after the BJP’s drubbing in Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met community leaders on Thursday and gave them an assurance that his government will find a solution within the “legal framework” after the Supreme Court struck down reservations for Jats. This is significant given reports that Jats are unhappy with the BJP after it installed a non-Jat as Chief Minister of Haryana last year.

Mr Modi gave a patient hearing to leaders of the 70-member delegation comprising Jats from various states which met him, and listened to their views on the court ruling. The SC has scrapped reservations for Jats announced by the UPA government in nine states.
The Jat community has tremendous influence in northern states like Uttar Pradesh, which goes to the polls in two years, and the BJP wants to keep them in good humour.

“The PM listened carefully to the issues raised. He said the government was studying the decision and will try to find a solution to the issue within the legal framework,” a PMO statement said.

The PM urged Jats to take the lead in implementing one of his pet projects, the “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” campaign.