‘Rahul Gandhi’s Demand For Caste Census In Line With…’: Maharashtra Cong Chief On Maratha Quota

Patole slammed the BJP-led government in the Centre and Maharashtra, claiming that they are not willing to address these issues.

File photo of Congress leader Nana Patole ( Image Source :PTI )

New Delhi: Amid protests over the Maratha Quota in Maharashtra, Congress leader Nana Patole on Monday said that the party will resolve the issues related to reservations in government jobs and education if voted to power.

He claimed that the BJP-led Central and Maharashtra governments are not willing to address these issues, reported news agency PTI.

Speaking to reporters, Patole said, “If Congress is voted to power in the Centre and Maharashtra, we will definitely solve these pending issues. Our leader Rahul Gandhi’s demand for a caste census is in line with our resolve to get to the root of these issues and come up with a solution."

Maharashtra is witnessing protests by the Maratha community led by activist Manoj Jarange seeking reservation in government jobs and education under the OBC category. However, the Other Backward Classes (OBC) groups are opposing any move to induct Kunbi-Marathas into their category.

Patole also slammed the Eknath Shinde-led government, accusing them of being indifferent to farmers who lost their crops to erratic rains.

"Industrial investment in the state is on the decline. Every time Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Maharashtra, he takes away some investment opportunity to Gujarat which has affected the state government revenue," the Congress leader said, reported PTI.

He further claimed that at least 16 ministers didn't attend the last Cabinet meeting held in Mumbai which indicates the state of affairs in the Shiv Sena-BJP-NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) government.

“Already, 17 posts of ministries are vacant. On top of it, 16 ministers did not even attend the last meeting of the Cabinet. This shows the kind of situation the state is going through,” Patole said.

Meanwhile, Activist Manoj Jarange-Patil on Monday reiterated his demand for the Maratha quota and said the community wants its rightful reservation in government jobs and education.

The activist said as per the information he has received on the scrutiny of documents (by a government-appointed committee), so far 29 lakh cases have been found where there is a mention of 'Kunbi' in the respective documents pertaining to Marathas.