After the opposition accused him of playing communal politics for not pushing through a bill giving reservations to Muslims, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said they were trying to find a way out of the legal tangle where the high court had upheld quotas for the community in education while striking down similar affirmative action in jobs.
Speaking after the conclusion of the winter session at Nagpur, Fadnavis also accused the opposition of "being disorganised, lacking a firm policy and being confused about its own stance".
In November, the Bombay high court (HC) had stayed the 16% quota for Marathas and reservations in jobs for Muslims. However, it did not stay the decision to reserve 5% seats for Muslims in educational institutions. Last week, the supreme court (SC) refused to vacate the stay on the Maratha quota. Despite the apex court setback, the state legislature unanimously passed a fresh bill granting quota to Marathas. The opposition seized the opportunity and accused the government of practising communal politics as the state failed to grant a similar relief to Muslims.
"The case is completely different (from the Maratha quota). Half of the reservations has been approved while the other half has been rejected. The grounds on which quotas have been approved are the same on which they have been rejected. This is a constitutional tangle. So, the opinion of the advocate general has been sought," said Fadnavis,
"Those who have benefited from quota are already protected. There is time for the next admission season. We will take the opinion of the advocate general and act as per the constitution," the chief minister said upon being asked whether his government would renew the ordinance on the issue which was due to lapse soon.
He claimed that his government was trying to bring about a paradigm shift in its work and policies. They were also aiming at evolving a permanent solution to the issue of drought through water management, he added.
"The opposition has been exposed in this session," said Fadnavis, adding that they would discuss the report of the high-level Vijay Kelkar committee for balanced regional development in the coming budget session. The chief minister accused the erstwhile Congress- NCP government of sitting on the report.
Panel for Mumbai
While he has been targeted by the opposition for his request to prime minister Narendra Modi to chair a committee on the development of Mumbai, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said he had requested that the committee be formed by the Centre to push pending proposals relating to Mumbai.
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