Nagpur: Union minister of state Ramdas Athawale on Friday demanded reservation for all the economically weaker sections of society.
Speaking to the media here, the Republican Party of India president said many minority castes had been demanding reservations for many years.
Charging the Congress and NCP of often putting chief minister Uddhav Thackeray into trouble, the minister reiterated his advice to the latter to join hands with the BJP and lead their Mahagathbandhan for two-and-a-half years.
“The MVA leaders have been pointing fingers at the Center on its failures.
In reality, Maharashtra has got the maximum number of vaccines.
Instead of pointing fingers at the Centre, its leaders should focus on inoculating all its citizens,” he said.
Accusing the Maha Vikas Aghadi of being “anti-backward class”, the minister said the reservation for the Maratha community couldn’t be sustained in the Supreme Court as the government failed to properly defend it.
“Granting reservation beyond 50% is possible by amending the Constitution of India, but it needs a lot of research and study.
The cancellation of reservation in promotion for Dalits and tribals by the state government will affect many officials,” he said.
Opposing the Shiv Sena’s demand to name Navi Mumbai airport after its founder Balasaheb Thackeray, Athawale said it was inappropriate to name every project after him.
“Already, the government had named a slew of projects after him.
The airport should be named after former MP DB Patil, who had been fighting for the people, instead of Thackeray,” he added.
State RPI president Bhupesh Thulkar, spokesperson Rajan Waghmare, district president Mahendra Mankar and Balu Gharde accompanied him during the media briefing.