New Delhi, Aug 6 : Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday took a potshot at the Narendra Modi-led government over the unemployment issue after one of his cabinet ministers conceded that there is a job crunch.

"Excellent question (Nitin) Gadkariji. Every Indian is asking the same question. Where are the jobs," Gandhi tweeted attaching a news report in which the Union Road Transport and Shipping Minister questioned the rationality behind a job reservation stir when there were not enough jobs in the first place.

Gandhi's remarks came a day after Gadkari on Sunday told reporters in Maharashtra that reservation would not guarantee employment as jobs were shrinking.

"Let us assume the reservation is given. But there are no jobs. Because in banks, the jobs have shrunk because of IT. The government recruitment is frozen. Where are the jobs?" Gadkari asked.

He also said that the problem with the quota is that "backwardness is becoming a political interest".

Gadkari said that one school of thought is that "a poor is poor, he has no caste, creed or language. Whatever may be the religion..., in all communities there is one section which has no clothes to wear, no food to eat".

Whereas the other school of thought is "we must also consider the poorest of the poor section in every community". This is a "socio-economic thinking" and it must not be politicised, he added.

In a tweet late on Sunday, Gadkari also clarified that the government is not planning to change the criteria for reservation from "castes to economic conditions".

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Manchester, Jul 25 (PTI): England extended their lead to 186 runs, closing day three of the fourth Test against India at 544/7 here on Friday.

It was a landmark day for Joe Root, who crafted a sublime 248-ball 150 and leapfrogged legends Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis, and Ricky Ponting to become the second-highest run-scorer in Test history.

India clawed their way back into the contest in the final session, claiming three wickets to stall England's charge.

At stumps, skipper Ben Stokes, who had earlier retired hurt due to cramps, resumed his innings and remained unbeaten on 77 alongside Liam Dawson, who was batting on 21.

Brief scores:

India 1st innings: 358 all out in 114.1 overs (Sai Sudharsan 61, Yashasvi Jaiswal 58; Ben Stokes 5/72).

England 1st innings: 544 for 7 in 135 overs (Joe Root 150, Ben Duckett 94; Washington Sundar 2/57 ).