Ambedkar Criticizes Pawar's Reservation Proposal as 'Intellectual Bankruptcy'

Prakash Ambedkar, the leader of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, criticized Sharad Pawar's proposal to increase the reservation cap in Maharashtra to 75%. Ambedkar labeled this demand as a sign of 'intellectual bankruptcy' and emphasized that reservations are for representation, not development. He urged Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange to participate in elections.

Prakash Ambedkar, the chief of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, sharply criticized NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Friday, following Pawar's suggestion to raise Maharashtra's quota cap to 75%.

Ambedkar derided the proposal as indicative of Pawar's 'intellectual bankruptcy', questioning when such benefits would extend to the cooperative sector, predominantly led by figures from the former Nationalist Congress Party and Congress.

He further expressed skepticism about Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange, urging him to run for office to gain credibility. Ambedkar accused Jarange of operating under the influence of various political leaders including Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

(With inputs from agencies.)