Maharashtra govt to deflect notes ban attack in House with Maratha issue | Mumbai news - Hindustan Times
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Maharashtra govt to deflect notes ban attack in House with Maratha issue

Hindustan Times | By, Nagpur
Dec 06, 2016 01:05 AM IST

The Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have been trying to corner the BJP government over the issue of demonetisation

While the Opposition plans to step up its attack on the BJP-led government in the state assembly over demonetisation and its negative effects, the ruling party plans to counter it by raising the issue of reservation to the Maratha community.

Education minister Vinod Tawade with Maharashtra chief minister in Nagpur on Monday.(Sunny Shende)
Education minister Vinod Tawade with Maharashtra chief minister in Nagpur on Monday.(Sunny Shende)

The Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have been trying to corner the BJP government over the issue of demonetisation. The issue dominated both houses of legislature as the winter session began on Monday. On the Opposition’s agenda: Highlighting the effects demonetisation is having on the common man as well as the rural economy. It has now decided to insist on an adjournment motion under which the day’s agenda is suspended and discussions are held on an issue of public importance.

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The ruling BJP, however, does not want to be cornered by the Opposition on the notes ban issue. Several party leaders are wary of the impact it has had on the rural economy — elections to Zilla Parishads (district council) will be held in the next two months.

As such, it is planning to bring a proposal in the Assembly to discuss the issue of Maratha reservation. This could put the Opposition in a quandary — whether to continue with the protests over demonetisation or participate in the Maratha reservation debate. Traditionally, the Maratha community forms a strong support base for the opposition Congress and NCP parties. “They [Opposition] will have to decide whether to disrupt proceedings of the Assembly over demonetisation or participate in the debate. If they resort to disruption, we can tell the community how the Opposition parties are not serious about the issue of reservation,’ said a source.

Mumbai BJP president and Bandra legislator Ashish Shelar on Monday submitted a notice for the debate on the issue of Maratha reservation on Tuesday.

The move would also be timely for the government as Maratha outfits are planning to resume the agitation with a protest march on December 14 in Nagpur, where the winter session is underway.

“The outcome of the recent civic polls showed mobilisation of the Maratha community has not worked against us. We are now considering ways to further win the support of the community,’ said a key BJP functionary.

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  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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    Shailesh Gaikwad is political editor and heads the political bureau in Hindustan Times' Mumbai edition.In his career of over 20 years, he has covered Maharashtra politics, state government and urban governance issues.

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