30 September,2023 03:32 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondent
Vijay Wadettiwar (File Photo)
Amid the ongoing reservation dispute in Maharashtra, the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Vijay Wadettiwar, made allegations on Saturday that his counterpart in the Legislative Council and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, Ambadas Danve, possesses an Other Backward Classes (OBC) certificate despite being a Maratha, stated a PTI report.
Wadettiwar's Congress party and the Shiv Sena (UBT), to which Danve belongs, are allies both in the Maha Vikas Aghadi and the opposition bloc Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). In recent weeks, several groups have been protesting, urging that Marathas not be included in the OBC category for reservation purposes.
Addressing reporters, the Congress leader claimed that approximately 28 lakh individuals in Marathwada had surreptitiously obtained OBC caste certificates in exchange for money.
According to the report, responding to these allegations, Danve categorically stated that he does not possess an OBC caste certificate and challenged Wadettiwar to provide evidence. In a released statement, Danve said, "All allegations against me are entirely baseless. If he (Wadettiwar) possesses such information, then he should present proof publicly. This will bring the truth to light."
Danve emphasized the need for Wadettiwar to first acquire accurate information before levelling such accusations.
Asserting his affiliation as a proud Shiv Sainik, Danve clarified, "I am not a leader associated with any particular caste and have never availed benefits of any reserved position. I have been selected from the 'open category,' starting from my tenure as a corporator to my role as the Leader of the Opposition in the Council."
During a press conference, Wadettiwar also criticized the Eknath Shinde government, referring to it as "ineffective" for its failure to disburse even Rs 2,000 to beneficiaries of various welfare schemes, the report stated.
"These ineffectual authorities have not disbursed Niradhar Yojana funds to beneficiaries for the past five months. It is an ineffective administration. These officials lack the resources to provide Rs 2,000 to beneficiaries of Sanjay Gandhi Yojana, Shraavanbal Yojana, and to pay Anganwadi Sevikas and ASHA workers," the Congress leader asserted.
Wadettiwar questioned why leaders from the Other Backward Classes were satisfied with the government's verbal assurances regarding reservations without actually issuing OBC certificates to Marathas. He suggested that the OBC community should inquire why the government was engaging in discussions about reservation issues and called it a "drama."
Regarding an incident in which a man was assaulted for refusing to chant 'Jai Shri Ram' in Mumbai, Wadettiwar claimed that similar assaults had occurred against Muslims in Buldhana and a Dalit youth in Dombivli (in Thane district near Mumbai). Wadettiwar alleged that the BJP was orchestrating these incidents to polarize votes, anticipating a challenging election ahead. He contended that the government had made minimal progress in the past nine years, leaving the public dissatisfied.
