Congress firm on giving reservation to Muslims: MPCC chief Balasaheb Thorat
Mumbai/UNI: Maharashtra Revenue minister and state Congress president Balasaheb Thorat asserted on Tuesday that providing reservation to Muslims is his party's commitment and said a decision on it will be taken after discussing the issue with other alliance partners in the state government.
His comments came soon after Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray denied that he has received any proposal of giving five per cent reservation to Muslims in education and clarified that no decision has been taken on the issue as yet.
Talking to reporters outside the state Legislature complex here, Thorat further said that what Thackeray stated was true, as the issue has not been discussed so far.
"We (Congress-NCP combine) had given reservation to Muslims in the past. It did not move ahead in last five years, but it is our commitment. It is part of the manifesto of the Congress and NCP. Hence, we want to give it," the MPCC chief asserted.
"But it is true that there has been no discussion on it," he pointed.
Reacting on the issue, Congress MP Hussain Dalwai said, “We will make the Sena agree to give 5 per cent reservation to Muslims, as it is not based on the religion but on the basis of their backwardness.”
It may be recalled that last week, Minority Affairs Minister Nawab Malik had informed the Legislative Council that the state government will provide five per cent quota to Muslims in education.
He had assured that the state government will ensure that legislation to this effect is passed soon.
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