Maratha Reservation: BJP leader Nilesh Rane criticises Sharad Pawar over his silence

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nilesh Rane has criticised Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar for staying silent on the issue of Maratha reservation. The Supreme Court recently stayed the implementation of Maratha quota while referring the matter to a larger bench. 

“Pawar saheb speaks on every issue. However, he has not spoken a word about the Maratha reservation issue,” Rane said while questioning as to why the NCP chief hasn’t called a meeting to discuss the issue. 

Although Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has appealed the Maratha community not to organise protests as the government stands with their demands, Pawar has not spoken much on the matter. 

Rane further accused that Sharad Pawar doesn’t want the Maratha community to get a reservation in education and government jobs. 

“Pawar saheb speaks on all issues but has not spoken a single word about the reservation for Maratha community so far. Sharad Pawar earlier came to Mumbai for a meeting of the Muslim community. So, why did he not organise a meeting for reservation of Maratha community? (sic)” Rane tweeted. 

The BJP leader also attacked Maharashtra Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Ashok Chavan questioning his working methods. Chavan heads the cabinet sub-committee appointed by the Maharashtra government to tackle the issue of Maratha reservation. 

“It has been several days since the Supreme Court gave its decision (on Maratha reservation issue). However, the Maharashtra government is still not clear about its role. We know the working of Ashok Chavan, he never does any work on time. On top of it, the Chief Minister’s work is also zero,” Rane claimed. 

Earlier, Maharashtra BJP President Chandrakant Patil also slammed Pawar saying that his party could not provide reservation to Maratha community despite being in power for 15 consecutive years. 

Patil also accused the Uddhav Thackeray government of failing to sustain the Maratha reservation brought by the then BJP-led government. He said that the MVA couldn’t play a competent role in defending the Maratha reservation before the Supreme Court. 

Also Read - Ex-Navy Officer Madan Sharma Meets Maharashtra Governor; Demands President's Rule