Manikrao Thakre bats for Muslim reservation

MUMBAI: Supporting reservation for Muslims in jobs and education, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Manikrao Thakre today said it should be done without affecting the existing reservation policy.

"The demand that Muslims should get reservation is not new from our side. Reservation of other communities should not be affected," Thakre told reporters.

The demand for Maratha and Muslim reservation has been pending for long and the Congress-NCP government is mulling over the proposal by adjusting it within legal framework.

Meanwhile, NCP leaders Fauzia Khan, Majeed Memon, Munaf Hakim, met Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and urged him to expedite the decision of reservation.

Chavan assured the delegation that he would convene a meeting of all government departments on Monday regarding the issue of Muslim reservation.

A committee headed by Industries Minister Narayan Rane has proposed 20 per cent reservation for Marathas in jobs and education. There is a section within the state cabinet which suggested that 16 per cent reservation should be for Marathas and 4 per cent for Muslims. However, Rane has reportedly turned down the proposal.