Caste census may pave way for raising current reservation cap: Sharad Pawar
The NCP (SP) chief said that the caste census is essential as it would reveal the true demographic data for making policy decisions
NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar declared on Thursday (November 7) that a caste census will pave the way for raising the current reservation upper limit of 50 per cent.
Speaking in Nagpur ahead of Assembly elections in Maharashtra on November 20, he said such a census was vital to address the reservation policy in a comprehensive manner.
"Our party has been advocating a caste census for the last three years. It’s essential as it would reveal the true demographic data necessary for policy decisions," he told the media.
Backs Rahul Gandhi
Pawar underlined that only a caste census would help evaluate the feasibility of raising the 50 per cent reservation cap, a point also made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
"If what Rahul Gandhi is proposing materialises, the reservation percentage will need to be revised,” Pawar added, reinforcing the Maha Vikas Aghadi's support for a caste census.
Rahul on Wednesday promised that the Congress would “break the wall of 50 per cent” reservation limit and conduct a nationwide caste census if it got the mandate to rule the country.
Pawar also said that the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) felt that the people in Maharashtra desired a change.
Sena (UBT) manifesto
Earlier, former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray released Shiv Sena (UBT) manifesto, which promised free education for male students, stabilising prices of essential items and scrapping the controversial Dharavi redevelopment project.
Thackeray also pledged to focus on job creation, reinforcing MVA’s campaign theme of prioritising public welfare and sustainable development.
