Munde, Bhujbal one in demanding census for OBCs

Senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde's statement that he was willing to work under the leadership of NCP's Chhagan Bhujbal for the rights of OBCs has created a buzz in state political circles.

Senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde's statement that he was willing to work under the leadership of NCP's Chhagan Bhujbal for the rights of OBCs has created a buzz in state political circles.

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Munde's announcement at a function here yesterday that he was willing to work under Bhujbal's leadership in a national movement of OBCs is also seen as the BJP leader's acceptance that Bhujbal was the leader of OBCs in the state.

Sharing the dais, both Munde and Bhujbal were vocal, demanding that other backward classes count be included during the ongoing census exercise.

"OBC count should be included in the census. It was not being done because some people fear OBCs will come together once they know their true strength," Munde said.

There are 340 castes among the OBCs, who constitute nearly 54 per cent of the country's population. There is a need for the OBC census, Bhujbal said.

Demanding reservation for OBCs in Lok Sabha, the deputy chief minister said that leaders from the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes are articulate about the issues of their communities as they get elected from reserved seats.

"Same is not the case with OBC leaders, who contest from unreserved seats and can't be vocal for fear of displeasing the general category voters," he said.

Noting that each caste in the OBC category had leaders working for their caste, leading to a lot of infighting, Bhujbal said the OBCs have to look at themselves as one caste to succeed in their struggle.

"Cattle, fowl and other animals will be counted, but the OBC won't be. If the 52 per cent of the OBCs boycott the Census, whom will they count?" Munde said, adding "This will be the first time that OBCs count won't take place in census.

Munde also voiced his "personal opinion" that there should be reservation for OBCs women in assemblies and Lok Sabha. "I will persevere to have my party take this view," he said.

Munde shared the stage with Bhujbal a week after he remarked that he should have stayed with the RSS instead of graduating to Jan Sangh during Emergency days.

"Perhaps I should have gone back to RSS. I could have done many other things. But now it's too late. You can enter BJP, there is no exit route," Munde had said.

When Nitin Gadkari, his junior in the state politics, was made BJP president, Munde was made party's deputy leader in the Lok Sabha and appointed Chairman of Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

On his recent remarks, political observers feel that Munde is not too happy in BJP.

Three years ago, Bhujbal and Munde had shared stage at a function organised by PWP leader Jayant Patil. Bhujbal had then said, "My party colleagues, who should have been on my side during the worst phase of my life (referring to his name being dragged into the Telgi scam), did not trust and support me."

Bhujbal's remark had led to reports that the heavyweight OBC leaders may form a front, changing political equations in the state. However, that did not happen.

It is to be seen what happens after yesterday's sharing the dais of Bhujbal and Munde.