Conglegislatorswantto resignformarathafate
Seek high command nod to tender mass resignations; NCP legislators say pressure from community mounting
MUMBAI : Irked by the government stand and wrath they are facing in their constituencies over the Maratha reservation demand, the Congress legislators, in a meeting on Monday, offered to tender mass resignations.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislators too complained of mounting pressure from the community, during their meeting of legislators from both the houses.
The Congress’ state leadership has apprised its Central leadership seeking permission to tender the resignations.
Both the Opposition parties convened separate meetings of their legislators to deliberate on the stir. Maratha community forms a significant part of the support base of both the parties.
Most legislators from the Congress said the sentiments of people were extreme and the resignations would help expose the government’s failure on this front. The proposal was mooted by leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-patil.
“Except former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, all senior leaders and legislators seconded the proposal. Some of the MLAS said it has become difficult for them to interact with voters, as their reactions are extreme. Chavan expressed his reservation on the decision and said he would prefer to discuss the issue on the floor of the house during the special session,” said a party leader.
State Congress chief Ashok Chavan reportedly spoke to All India Congress Committee’s General secretary and Maharashtra in-charge Mallikarjun Kharge to seek permission for the mass resignations. The decision would be taken on the basis of what the party high command says, said the leader.
“We have been facing tremendous pressure from the community on local level. We highlighted this during the meet. We have asked senior party leaders to put pressure on the state to hold the special session as early as possible, so that the bill over providing reservation to the community can be approved at the earliest,” said Bhausaheb Chikatgaonkar, party MLA from Vaijapur and one of the nine MLAS who submitted their resignations to the Speaker of the legislative Assembly. Leaders from both the parties later met governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao separately demanding his intervention amid brewing tension in the state. “We have demanded immediate decision on the reservation for Marathas, Dhangars and Muslims,” said Ashok Chavan.
The NCP requested the governor for a resolution of state legislature for reservation to Marathas by incorporating it in Article 31B of the Constitution, on the lines of the reservation given in Tamil Nadu, where the total reservation is 69%. The party has also demanded reservation for Muslims and Dhangars.
Both the Congress and NCP leaders also met MG Gaikwad, chief of the Maharashtra State Commission for Backward Classes at his Fort office. The commission has reportedly told the Opposition it may take at least three months to submit its report.
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