During the special session of Maharashtra Legislature, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLC Pravin Darekar on Wednesday claimed that First Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi had opposed political reservation to Scheduled Castes and Tribes (SCs/STs).
While speaking at the legislative council, Darekar said that during the round-table meeting of the Constituent Assembly of India Nehru and Gandhi had opposed to the political reservation to SC/ST proposed by B.R. Ambedkar.
Darekar was speaking on the Constitution (126th) Amendment Bill which proposes to extend quota to SC/ST in Lok Sabha and state assemblies by another 10 years.
During the constituency assembly meeting, Babasaheb Ambedkar had proposed to reserve electoral constituencies for the SC and ST communities. However, Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi had opposed it,” Darekar said.
Later, the bill was approved by both houses of Maharashtra legislature in a special session on Wednesday.
However, Darekar’s remarks created a huge ruckus in the upper house. Independent MLC Kapil Patil and Congress leader Sharad Ranpise objecting to the comments made by the BJP MLC.
Despite being told that he has distorted facts, Darekar stuck to his words which invited angry reaction from the Congress. Amid the chaos, council chairman Ramraje Nimbalkar adjourned the house for 15 minutes.