Mumbai, June 08: Nearly 100 years after legendary ruler of the erstwhile Kolhapur province Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj took the landmark decision on reservation for dalits, a demand for quotas in education and jobs for economically backward in the upper castes is hotting up in Maharashtra. And quite understandably majority of the political parties, keeping an eye on next year's assembly elections, have come out openly in support of the demand.
It all started with Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's decision to extend 14 per cent quota for the poor amongst forward classes in his state. Not to be left behind, BJP, scheduled to take on the Gehlot government in the assembly elections in a few months time demanded setting up a national commission to look into the aspect of reservations for upper castes on economic criteria. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has acceded the party's demand.
Taking a cue from Rajasthan, BJP, in an attempt to corner the Congress-led DF government in Maharashtra, sought ten per cent reservation for forward castes on economic criteria. State BJP leaders, who refuted accusations of making the demand with an eye over assembly elections and following the Rajasthan government's move, claimed that the party had passed a resolution in 1985 at its national executive meet in Bhopal seeking reservation for poor among upper castes. Bureau Report