The Congress has pitched for continuation of the present system of reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.

In a statement, party President Sonia Gandhi said that it was her party which introduced the reservation, strengthened it and will continue to champion it. She made it clear that there is no doubt or ambiguity on Congress' stand on the system of reservation.

The statement assumes significance in the backdrop of party General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi's remarks against reservation on caste lines and favouring reservation on economic lines.

Reacting to Dwivedi's remarks, the BJP had charged the ruling party with deliberately trying to initiate a new debate to sidetrack anti-government sentiment on issues of corruption and price rise.