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Chhagan Bhujbal, Munde now root for OBC quota in politics, jobs

While Bhujbal demanded OBC reservation in assembly and parliament elections, Munde sought job opportunities for them in the private sector.

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A day after the Union cabinet gave its nod for the caste census, deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal and senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde on Friday raised the issue of reservation for other backward castes (OBCs).

While Bhujbal demanded OBC reservation in assembly and parliament elections, Munde sought job opportunities for them in the private sector.

Bhujbal said: “The empowerment of OBCs cannot be attained without adequate electoral representation. The OBCs constitute 54% of the total population.”

On OBC reservation in polls, Munde said: “Reservation [for OBCs] in assembly and parliament is a new issue. I will have to raise the matter in my party forum before expressing my views [on it] in public. It’s heartening to note that after 63 years of Independence, the Centre has given its consent for the caste census.”

Munde’s decision to exercise caution in demanding reservation in electoral politics is an indication of the stiff opposition within the RSS to the caste census, and a sign division within the BJP on the matter.

Notwithstanding the differences and party pressures, both Bhujbal and Munde are now working towards consolidating the splinter groups which have been left out of the OBC category. For instance, Munde said he wanted the VJNT (nomadic tribes) to be incorporated in the OBC category. “At Centre, VJNT are covered under OBC, not in Maharashtra.”

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