Jaipur, June 8: Demanding reservation for the poor among upper castes, the Rajasthan Brahmin Mahasabha today said the criteria for providing such benefits to a community should be its economic status and not caste.

Talking to reporters here today, Mahasabha president and MLA Bhanwar Lal Sharma said the present caste-based reservation system should be replaced by a economic status-based one.

He said the Mahasabha would work for evolving joint strategy with other castes and communities for pressing the demand at national level.

He said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and several other leaders had already expressed their agreement with the Mahasabha's demand.

Mr Sharma said his outfit wanted to spearhead a joint campaign at national level with active participation from Vaish and Rajput ] community organisations.

He said that he had already spoken to Agrawal Mahasabha national president and BJP MP Ramdas Agrawal and making efforts were on to speak to Rajput community leaders too.

He said the campaign would be totally peaceful. He also regretted violence during the Gujjar agitation for ST status for that community and said their movement would be held in a totally ''democratic'' manner.

In a bid to discuss the issue within Brahmin community, a meeting of community leaders would be held here on June 24 which would be attended by Brahmin leaders from different states.

Meanwhile, the state convention of the Mahasabha would be held in Salasar in Churu district on June 9 and 10, Mr Sharma added.

UNI