With the sole exception of the Samajwadi Party which struck a discordant note, the UPA government today secured the approval of all other parties for bringing a "legally sustainable" constitutional amendment to provide reservation in job promotions to SCs and STs.

Setting the tone for the all-party meeting here this evening, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asserted in his opening remarks that he was seeking the counsel of all the parties to discuss a way out of the Supreme Court's order on April 27 striking down the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to provide quota for SCs, STs and OBCs in government job promotions.

However, he refused to commit on whether the government intended to bring a constitutional amendment during the Monsoon Session itself. Singh asked the parties to provide "valuable suggestions so that a legally sustainable solution may be arrived at".

Parties cut across political lines to support the need to ensure that interests of the weaker sections are protected in public employment. Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj said the BJP had always supported upliftment of weaker sections but cautioned the PM to ensure that the constitutional and legal aspects were adequately covered.

The Left parties too backed the government on bringing a constitutional amendment, with the same rider that it should be legally and constitutionally sustainable.

But the SP opposed the move, maintaining that the interests of OBCs would be hurt with a constitutional amendment that would protect the interests of SCs and STs. Party leader Ramgopal Yadav cited the example of five chief engineers in UP belonging to the SC community who superceded their batchmates because of double promotions.

BSP chief Mayawati sought a constitutional amendment that would not place any conditions on SCs and STs.

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