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Journalism of Courage
Shahu Maharaj Chhatrapati, a descendant of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj — one of the most progressive royals of Maharashtra who is credited with introducing the reservation policy, has decided to enter into the electoral race as a Congress candidate from Kolhapur in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Speaking to Alok Deshpande, he explains his decision to take the electoral plunge and elaborates on his views on Maratha reservations and why he is pitching for a caste survey.
I was not an active politician, but I was never detached from politics. I was always on the periphery. I have been interacting with people, meeting them, and understanding their issues for years now. This time, the demand came from the people. Leaders of Maha Vikas Aghadi talked to me. In these times, I have also come to a stage where I felt that a decision should be taken, a stand on happenings in the country must be taken.
As I said, it is time to take a stand. A stand to choose whether we want a dictatorial regime or democracy in this country. If we fail to take a stand, we are bound to walk a wrong path in future. The core issue in this election is to safeguard our Constitution and constitutional values. Is it so hard to look around and realise how institutions are being strangled or manipulated? I felt that I must take a non-compromising stand and tell people where I belong in this election. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj stood against injustice and irrespective of his smaller army, he chose to fight and he won. Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj never gave up on the idea of equality. I come from that lineage.
It is one of the oldest parties which has contributed immensely to India’s freedom struggle. Our ideas match, our thinking is similar. Leaders of MVA from other parties met me and supported my decision to contest from Congress.
There has not been an instance when I have refused to meet people. People have always come to meet me and I make it a point to meet them. Even now, after winning the election we will be setting up special offices in each of the assembly segments of the constituency for easier access to people. Even the other side would not make an allegation over my accessibility to people.
Four years back, I was the one who had raised the issue of raising the reservation limit above 50%. Even then I had said that only Centre can solve this issue and it will benefit not only Marathas, but even other castes in different states. At a time when they (BJP) had power everywhere, they could have done it very easily. But whether they had the mentality to solve the issue, needs to be tested. Our manifesto talks about it. As far as the agitation led by Manoj Jarange-Patil is concerned, the protesters must get what the government has promised. I am also of the opinion that no other community should suffer while fulfilling the promise of reservation.
We have a reservation policy based on castes. It is important that each community is counted to get the proper representation. We have promised this in our manifesto and I am sure that it will be implemented.
Development above politics is my motto. The state and the country are witnessing a trend in politics where development is taking a backseat and political rivalry is growing. The country and the state are suffering due to this. I am not here to play dirty politics. My focus is on infrastructure development without neglecting agriculture. I am not going to comment on my rival and current MP. I am going to go forward with the vision of development promising no political bitterness.
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