Mumbai, Nov 3: Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee chief spokesperson Atul Londhe on Thursday took a jibe at BJP MLA Nitesh Rane for questioning the party’s stance on the reservation issue, asking him to question Prime Minister Narendra Modi on conducting a caste-based census and why they (the Centre) have not removed the 50 per cent cap on reservations.
In a press statement issued here, he categorically stated that the Congress party has often made its stand on the reservation issue clear, and it has been publicly stated from time to time.
However, it looks like Nitesh Rane seems to lack knowledge and has questioned the Congress’ role out of ignorance, he said.
He further said that the Congress has passed a resolution at the Hyderabad CWC meeting that says if the issue of reservation has to be addressed for various castes across the country, then a caste-based census should be conducted and the 50 per cent ceiling on reservations should be removed.
“Now, Rane should explain why the BJP-led Narendra Modi government at the Centre is not conducting a caste-based census and why they have not lifted the 50 percent cap on reservations,” he asked.
Hitting out at BJP MLA Rane over his remarks, Londhe said that Rane, who is the spokesperson of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, should first understand their stand on the issue.
He claimed that under influence of Fadnavis, Rane was opposing reservation for the Marathas, which is harming the community.
In 2014, during the Prithviraj Chavan-led government, the Congress had granted reservations to both Maratha and Muslim communities, he pointed and reminded him that Nitesh’s father, Narayan Rane, was part of the committee that had recommended reservation for the Marathas.
“Then who went to court against the reservation,” he questioned.
The Maratha reservation that the Congress government had provided has now been lost due to incompetence of Rane’s current master Fadnavis, he charged.
He should take information on this from his father, update himself on the matter and then speak about the Congress party’s stand, added Londhe.
