Congress’ Maharashtra unit on Thursday held a protest march under the leadership of state chief Nana Patole in Bhandara against the “anti-farmer BJP government”. Pic/Maharashtra Congress
Answering a question, Nana Patole said that the BJP government in the state is a government that "protects criminals and mafia". It has been revealed that drug mafia Lalit Patil was given five star facilities in Pune's Sassoon Hospital, allowed to see his girlfriend, allowed to travel abroad.
Speaking on the Maratha reservation issue, Patole said that whether it is the state cabinet or the central cabinet, it is there to give justice to all but there is no unanimity among the ministers in Maharashtra government
He said ministers are speaking different languages, Shahu and Phule Amdekar are giving the impression of discussing their thoughts. If it is going wrong, why stay in the cabinet, resign, why make an appearance? The government is constantly saying that it will not push for OBC reservation, the same was decided in the all-party meeting, so what exactly is the government doing? When there is confusion among the public, the government should clarify its position. Marathas, OBCs came to power with promises of reservation, then let the people know what you have in mind. Since the government is not clarifying its position, the Maratha vs. OBC controversy has started in the state.
Meanwhile, Patole said that the way BJP is doing "politics" over the Ram temple poses a danger to the Hindu religion.
Patole said it is the people of the country who have contributed towards the construction of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya.
"If the BJP is doing politics in the name of God then it is committing a big sin. I myself have contributed to the construction of the temple out of my faith. Even, we want a grand temple of Bhagwan Shri Ram. Rajiv ji (ex-PM Rajiv Gandhi) himself had performed the 'shilanyas' there," he said.
However, the way BJP is doing politics over this issue poses a danger to "Hindu dharma", he said.
While the temple's inauguration in January should be celebrated like a festival, the BJP is behaving as if the temple belongs to them, said Patole, responding to a query about Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath's reported remark that the saffron party was treating the temple as its private property.
Asked about Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar deciding to increase caste quotas from the existing 50 per cent to 65 per cent, Patole said the BJP is opposing the caste census as it is trying to finish the reservation system.
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