Decision on quota taken after examining legalities: NCP

MUMBAI: NCP said the decision to provide reservation to Muslims and Marathas has been taken by Maharashtra government after examining all legal aspects and expressed confidence that it would stand in the courts.

Addressing a press conference, NCP spokesman Nawab Malik said, "The decision will stand in the courts as all legal aspects have been examined."

"Even though BJP-Sena has partially supported the reservation move, the opposition parties are likely to indirectly target the government through a PIL against the Maratha and Muslim reservation," he alleged.

The state Cabinet had yesterday cleared 16 per cent reservation for Marathas and five per cent for Muslims in government jobs and educational institutions.

This is in addition to the already existing 52 per cent reservation for SC, ST, OBC and VJNT (Vimukta Jati-Nomadic Tribes).

With the additional 21 per cent quotas for the politically influential Maratha community and Muslims, reservation in jobs and educational institutions in Maharashtra will go up to 73 per cent.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan had said yesterday that the move was not politically motivated or with an eye on elections.

"The process was on since 2004," he said last night.