Devendra Fadnavis will have to defy Amit Shah's stand to grant Maratha quota: Sharad Pawar

Latching onto BJP chief Amit Shah's remark that reservations can t exceed 50 per cent, NCP supremo Shar Pawar said on Friday that Maharashtra Chief Minister will have to show "cour" to overrule Shah while granting quota to Marathas.

He also batted for quota for Muslims and questioned BJP's stand that reservations could t be given on religious lines.

Maharashtra legislature on vember 29 unanimously passed a bill providing 16 per cent quota in jobs and education to Marathas, taking overall reservations in state to 68 per cent from existing 52.

"He (Shah) has clearly said that reservations can t be given above 50 per cent and demand for same was t right. w, it is test of chief minister (Devendra Fnavis)," Pawar said, when asked about Shah's comment.

"We are watching if chief minister shows cour of taking a different view, overruling stand of his party chief," he ded.

Pawar was speaking to reporters after an event in Mumbai where former Member of Legislative Council from Nashik, Apurva Hire, returned to NCP fold after quitting ruling BJP.

RE | Maharashtra Government Confirms Reservation For Maratha Community, CM Devendra Fnavis Promises Quota From December 1

Asked about public interest litigation in high court against Maratha quota legislation, Pawar said people have right to approach court.

"Our only stand in this matter is government should implement 16 per cent quota given to new community (Marathas) without hurting interests of or communities (which alrey have reservation)," Pawar said.

As to reservation for Muslims, Pawar said, "It must be given. se are educationally, socially and ecomically backward sections... previous (Congress-NCP) government h taken a decision (to grant Muslim quota). court also approved it. government today says it would t give reservations based on religion.... BJP leership has a different view of people belonging to or religions."

dressing poll rallies in Telangana on vember 25, Shah h opposed TRS government's proposal to increase reservation for Muslims in that state, saying Supreme Court has imposed an overall cap of 50 per cent.

"I want to tell Chandrasekhar Rao, Supreme Court has fixed 50 per cent ceiling. If you want to provide 12 per cent reservation, from whose quota are you going to carve it out: from Dalits, tribals or OBCs. Decide this first," Shah h said.

Chief minister Rao promised reservation to mirity community despite being aware of this ceiling and forwarded proposal (bill) to Centre, Shah h alleged.

RE | Maharashtra CM Devendra Fnavis Anunces SEBC Reservation For Maratha Community; Percent Yet To Be Determined