Rollback of 33% quota in promotions could lead to stir: Cong min

MUMBAI: The trouble for the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) could mount further with energy minister Nitin Raut from the Congress on Friday warning of an agitation over the roll-back of the state’s decision to scrap 33% reservation in promotions for those employed through Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (SC), Nomadic Tribe (NT) and Special Backward Class category quotas.

Earlier this week, Raut — who heads Congress’s ST cell — met chief minister (CM) Uddhav Thackeray to express his objections over the decision. Raut could have the backing of two cabinet colleagues from the Congress — tribal development minister KC Padvi and education minister Varsha Gaikwad.

The state had on May 7 issued a government resolution (GR) scrapping the promotions — a decision that could lead to tension in the wake of the Supreme Court’s judgment to quash the Maratha quota. Though it is being alleged by community members that the move to scrap the promotions was to pacify the Maratha community, state officials said it was based on a high court decision.

Meanwhile, BJP-backed legislator and Shiv Sangram party leader Vinayak Mete announced that a section of the Maratha community will hold a stir in Beed on June 5.