As the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress gear up to form an alliance government in Maharashtra, there are several reports suggesting the probable workings of the alliance.
Sudhir Suryavanshi, a senior journalist and political analyst based in Mumbai who was earlier associated with DNA, has claimed that the Sena-NCP-Congress government will bring back the 5% reservations for Muslim as part of the common minimum programme in Maharashtra.
Super Exclusive: Complete farm loan waiver, Muslim reservation, review of crop loan scheme, more MSP will be the part of the common minimum programme of Congress, NCP & Shiv Sena led coalition govt in Maharashtra https://t.co/EU2Y2Srk1d pic.twitter.com/LPDANXWdEn
— Sudhir Suryawanshi (@ss_suryawanshi) November 13, 2019
As per the report Suryavanshi shared, apart from the 5% Muslim reservation, other proposals, like waiving farm loan completely, conducting a review of the crop loan scheme, strengthening agriculture produce market committees etc will also be a part of the coalition government’s agenda.
It is notable here that the 5% Muslim reservation was scrapped by the BJP-Sena government when they had assumed power in the state in 2014.
Muslims in Maharashtra are already among the beneficiaries of the OBC reservation and the recently included EWS quota.
NCP chief Ajit Pawar has just stated that talks are being held between party leaders over the proposed alliance with the Sena. He asserted that they will first talk it through with the Congress as they were the alliance partners and both NCP and Congress had a common manifesto. Since Sena had a different manifesto, they will need to discuss on a common programme.
Ajit Pawar, NCP: Today our leader Jayant Patil will call Balasaheb Thorat (President of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee) for further discussions between the parties and discuss the dates from when we can have a joint discussion on how to go ahead. #Maharashtra https://t.co/L63XCf6TSh
— ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2019
The Sena has been vehemently against many of the NCP-Congress schemes, especially the Muslim quota over the years. It will be interesting to see whether it will now agree to the re-introduction of the 5% quota to quench its thirst for power or will try to stand on its ideological ground.
The report Suryavanshi has shared has quoted NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik as saying the Sena should not have a problem with the 5% Muslim quota as it is no longer a part of the NDA. Malik has further been quoted as saying that the Sena should also drop its demand of the Bharat Ratna for Savarkar if they want to be a part of the alliance government.
