India, March 16 -- The Karnataka government's decision to introduce a 4 per cent reservation for minorities in government contracts has sparked a political debate, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing the Congress of appeasement politics.

Defending the move, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar clarified on Saturday that the policy is inclusive of all minority communities, not just Muslims.

Speaking at the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee's office, Shivakumar emphasized that the reservation applies only to contracts valued up to Rs.2 crore, similar to provisions previously made for SC/ST communities, news agency ANI reported.

Responding to the BJP's criticism, he remarked, "Everyone deserves a livelihood. If the BJP keeps ...