Nationalist Congress Party talks housing quota for minorities in Mumbai

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar on Wednesday recommended reservation for minorities in the housing sector to “retain the cosmopolitan character of Mumbai”. Pawar’s message to the Mumbai NCP unit was significant in the backdrop of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election scheduled for 2012.

Emphasising on restoring the ‘Bombay’ culture in Mumbai, he reminded the party cadre that when there are people from different communities living in a society, it helps in creating better understanding and bonding. 

Pawar’s suggestion will strike a positive chord with the minorities. An insider felt that if the government-controlled housing authority, namely Mhada, reserves a certain quota to accommodate minorities, it would go a long way in restoring their faith in the political system.

A senior NCP functionary said, “It may appear a simple solution to a complex problem. But when it comes to implementation, it will require the consensus of all political parties.”

After the good performance in the elections of local bodies, the party’s president has turned the focus on the BMC polls. He asked the cadre to strengthen the organisation in Mumbai as Congress has a strong hold in the city.

An NCP general secretary said: “The NCP plans to build goodwill among the minorities to consolidate its vote bank.”