Could lead to another spat in the ruling alliance.
The joy of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), one of the partners of ruling tripod alliance, of keeping its word on Muslim reservation was short lived as Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray today, flatly denied having taken any such decision. Last week minorities development and Aukaf minister Nawab Malik had announced 5% reservation for Muslims in education.
It had become news of the day as Malik had made the announcement in the House – State Legislative Council, last week. Malik, had said state government will bring in ordinance to facilitate 5% reservation for Muslim community in education. He had announced that the decision will be implemented from the next academic session. “We will examine all the aspects, including the Constitutional provision before implementing the deision,” Malik had said. The decision had raised many eyebrows as it would prove politically dear to Shiv Sena, given its stand over the decades.
The leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis had criticised the government for the decision. “The decision will prove to be death knell for OBC reservation, as the share of Muslim reservation will be scooped from that. It is nothing but sheer appeasement politics. This appears to be yet another compromise by Shiv Sena to remain in power,” Fadnavis had said.
However, the Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, while interacting with media today, flatly denied that government has taken any such decision. “The proposal is not before the government as of now. Hence there is no such decision. We will think over it when it comes before the government,” Thackeray said.
