Athawale Calls Out Thackeray for Anti-Reservation Remarks

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has urged MNS President Raj Thackeray to retract his anti-reservation comments. Athawale warns that failure to do so will lead Dalits and backward classes to boycott MNS candidates in the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections. Thackeray had suggested prioritizing locals in job opportunities over caste considerations.

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has called on Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray to retract his anti-reservation statements. Athawale warned that Dalits and backward classes might boycott MNS candidates in the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections if Thackeray doesn't withdraw his remarks.

Thackeray had made a controversial statement, emphasizing that local people should get priority in job opportunities rather than caste being a factor. 'If the private sector continues to create jobs, we should think about how many people will benefit from reservation in government jobs,' Thackeray had said, inciting criticism from various quarters.

Athawale, Minister of State for Social Justice, slammed Thackeray's comments and emphasized the political repercussions of such statements. Thackeray's remarks also triggered protests from the Maratha community, which has been advocating for inclusion in the OBC category. The Republican Party of India (A), led by Athawale and an ally of the BJP, holds sway over Dalit votes in several regions of Maharashtra. The assembly elections for the 288-member legislative body are scheduled for October this year.