MVA leaders charge BJP of discrimination, opposition responds

The Maha Vikas Aghadi government (MVA), which had promulgated an ordinance to provide up to 27 percent political reservation to the OBC within the 50 percent reservation ceiling, has been dealt a setback by the Supreme Court's decision to stay the 27 percent political reservation in local bodies in the state. MVA leaders reacted angrily to the Supreme Court's decision, accusing the BJP of "double standards" on the matter and alleging a political plot to derail the OBC reservation. Meanwhile, the BJP has accused the MVA administration of failing to follow the protocol and denying OBCs reservation in local government.

While staying the ordinance, the Supreme Court pointed out that the 27 percent OBC quota could not have been enforced without the establishment of a commission and the collection of data on the lack of representation in local bodies. NCP Minister Chhagan Bhujbal called the ruling "unfortunate," but said the administration is working hard to restore the OBC quota in local government. "However, several BJP office-bearers from Dhule district routinely go to court to challenge OBC reservation." We believe there is a political plot to derail the OBC reservation," said the group.

In September, months after the Supreme Court struck down the OBC reservation in local bodies, the Maharashtra cabinet approved the promulgation of an ordinance to provide reservation to OBCs in local bodies, in addition to the SC and ST reservations, under a 50 percent limit. "After reading the court's ruling, it is apparent that the elections, which were due to take place, will go a place," Bhujbal said of the likely consequences of the SC stay for the impending local body elections. However, it appears that polls will not be held in areas where there is a 27 percent reservation. As a result, there will be a difficult scenario following the elections."

The State Election Commission has declared that elections will be held on December 21 for 105 Nagar Panchayats in 32 districts and two Zilla Parishads. Nawab Malik, another NCP Minister, stated that his party's position is that elections should not be held without the OBC reservation.

Image Courtesy: @TheIndianExpress