Maratha quota: Shiv Sena for special session, others say wait for MSBC report

Shiv Sena has been isolated on its demand for convening a special state assembly session to give reservation to the Maratha community without waiting for the report of the State Backward Class Commission. The commission is entrusted with the task of studying the socio-economic status of the community. Sena's big brother BJP and opposition Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have however, said the special session will be meaningful only after the Maharashtra State Backward Class (MSBC) submits its report to the government.

As reported by DNA, MSBC will take at least three to four months to pen its report after conducting scientific analysis of data on present status of Maratha community from 36 districts. State government sources hinted that such a special session can be convened only in October or early November.

Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on Monday had argued that the government should not wait for MSBC's report but convene special assembly session as it is the prerogative of the state assembly to decide on the demand for quota in jobs and educational institutions. He reminded that his party had demanded a similar session two years back to resolve the quota issue.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said special assembly session will be convened only after MSBC submits its report to the government. He reiterated that the government has requested MSBC to submit its report at the earliest.

Congress legislator, who did not want to be identified, wanted to know what legislators will deliberate in the absence of the MSBC report. ''After MSBC submits its report to the government, opposition will be in a position to seek government's view on Maratha quota. At present, there seems to be lack of unanimity in the government. While Chief Minister has clarified that decision on quota will be taken after the government receives report from MSBC, cabinet minister Pankaja Munde had remarked that had the file of Maratha reservation been on her table, she would not have delayed it even for a moment,'' he said.

NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said assembly can unanimously pass a resolution recommending the Centre to amend the Constitution which will pave way for exceeding reservation beyond 50% which was ruled by the Supreme Court. He added that MSBC's report will come handy for deliberations.

CAST(E) ASIDE

BJP, Congress and NCP said the special session will be meaningful only after the MSBC submits its report to after conducting scientific analysis of data on the present status of the Maratha community from 36 districts