Give reservations based on economic condition, give priority to locals in jobs : Raj Thackeray

While the state of Maharashtra is witnessing violent agitation by Maratha community for a demand of reservation, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray today stated that the reservation should be given only on the basis of economic condition and not on caste.

Thackeray was in Pune to address party workers on the occasion of Guru Purnima on Friday. During his Pune visit, he also made new appointments of party leaders and designated roles to them ahead of elections.  Blaming the former prime minister VP Singh for present reservation row, Thackeray said, "It was Singh who created a divide between castes on the basis of reservation. If one caste gets reservation, another comes forward with the demand of the same. Reservation should not be given on the basis of caste. It should be given only on the basis of economic condition."

Referring the recent death of Kakasaheb Shinde during Maratha reservation agitation, Thackeray said, "The governments, both present, as well as the past, are only interested in playing with the feelings of the people. They want conflict between communities to help them in gaining votes. Therefore, we need to understand the politics which is being played and no one should become victim of such dirty politics and give his life."

Thackeray reiterated his stand on giving preference to locals in college admissions and government jobs. "While every other state gives priority to their local people, why is it not happening in Maharashtra. If the government gives 80 to 90 percent seats of colleges to local students, the need of reservation will never arise," he said.

Thackeray also took a dig at Jain community's demand of closing of slaughterhouses during the holy Paryushan. "Everyone should follow their religion at their homes and not in public. One religion should not tell the other what it should do and what not. The Jains should not issue 'Fatwas' of closing down of slaughterhouses during Paryushan. Likewise, the Muslims also should not use loudspeakers for the Azan nor should they use public roads to offer Namaz," Thackeray said.