Sharad Pawar Urges Constitutional Amendment for Enhanced Reservation

NCP (SP) President Sharad Pawar has called for a constitutional amendment to increase reservations in education and government jobs beyond the current 50% cap. He emphasized a careful approach to avoid affecting other communities' quotas. The discussion involves Maharashtra politics and social issues.

In a call for significant reform, NCP (SP) President Sharad Pawar has urged the BJP-led central government to amend the constitution, allowing reservations in education and government employment to exceed the existing 50% limit. Pawar made these remarks while addressing reporters on Friday, emphasizing the need for equitable quota distribution.

Pawar highlighted the Maratha community's demand for reservations, drawing comparisons with Tamil Nadu, where quotas reach 78%. He argued for a raised limit in Maharashtra, suggesting a 75% reservation would be reasonable. He assured that such changes should not disrupt allocations for other communities.

On political fronts, Pawar discussed the imminent Maharashtra assembly elections, referencing the success of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in past polls. He praised the government's recognition of Marathi as a classical language but urged attention to the declining number of Marathi learners. Pawar also criticized fund diversions affecting healthcare and expressed concerns over public safety issues.

(With inputs from agencies.)