Mumbai Congress chief and Member of Parliament Varsha Gaikwad, during her appearance at the Mumbai Tak Baithak conclave, reiterated her party's unwavering support for the Maratha reservation in Maharashtra. She took the opportunity to clarify that the Congress is not opposed to the idea of Maratha reservation but believes that the real and lasting solution lies in implementing a nationwide caste census, a proposal strongly advocated by Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Gaikwad pointed out that Gandhi's demand for a caste census in Parliament was met with diversionary tactics by those in power, who shifted the focus onto his own caste, rather than addressing the pressing issue at hand.
In her address, Gaikwad sharply criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing the ruling party of deliberately diverting the attention away from the Maratha reservation issue and failing to take decisive action, despite having the power to do so. "The BJP is in power at the Centre, and it is within their capacity to grant reservation to the Maratha community. Yet, nothing has been done so far," Gaikwad stated, emphasizing the government's inaction.
The situation in Maharashtra has been particularly tense, with large-scale protests erupting across the state. Activist Manoj Jarange has been at the forefront of these agitations, demanding that all Kunbis (a community of agriculturists) and their "sage soyre" (blood relatives) be recognized as Marathas and included within the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. These protests have gained momentum following the Maharashtra legislature's decision earlier this year to pass a bill that allotted 10% reservation to the Maratha community in education and government jobs. However, Jarange and his supporters argue that this measure is insufficient and continue to push for broader inclusion within the OBC category.
During her interaction, Gaikwad also took the opportunity to criticize Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar, specifically questioning his commitment to the Ladki Bahini Yojana, a scheme aimed at empowering women. "Is it your policy to pit your wife against your sister?" Gaikwad asked, highlighting what she perceives as inconsistencies in Pawar's approach to the scheme. She accused the ruling alliance, the Mahayuti, of conveniently remembering and promoting such schemes only after the conclusion of the Lok Sabha session, suggesting that these initiatives are being used as political tools rather than genuine efforts to improve the lives of the people.
Gaikwad also addressed the political dynamics within the state, particularly the role of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi leader Prakash Ambedkar in the legislative Assembly. She urged Ambedkar to join forces with the Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, arguing that his support could significantly strengthen their collective efforts against the current government. "We were discussing seat-sharing for the Lok Sabha elections. If he had supported us, he would have become an MP, along with three of his colleagues," Gaikwad remarked, reflecting on the missed opportunities for collaboration.
In her concluding remarks, Gaikwad made a strong appeal to Ambedkar, urging him to stand with the MVA in the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, especially if his fight is against the Modi government. She emphasized the importance of unity among opposition forces in order to effectively challenge the ruling party and bring about meaningful change in the state and at the national level. Gaikwad's statements underscored the Congress's commitment to addressing the Maratha reservation issue, as well as the broader need for social justice and inclusive governance in Maharashtra.
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