Maharashtra cabinet expansion need of the state: Sunil Tatkare

When asked about the NCP’s demand on district guardian ministership in Nasik and Raigad, Tatkare clarified that it will be discussed along with the cabinet expansion talks.

Taking on Baramati Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule over her criticism that the predictions by Ajit group’s Praful Patel and Dhananjay Munde about Election Commission of India’s verdict to be in Ajit’s favour hints that the “Commission’s paper has been leaked”, Tatkare said that she should understand that the paper was never secret but always in front of everyone.

“Our legislative strength is out in the open. Our methodology of taking this decision is also open. The Supreme Court orders have clearly laid down guidelines in such cases. So, I want to tell her that nothing was hidden to be leaked here. It is open to the public to see,” he said, adding that timeline is given only based on “our anticipation of justice”.

Commenting on the Ajit gro-up’s focus on Muslims reservation, he clarified that his party has joined the state government with a clarity that the party will not give up on secular ideology. “There is no question of us backing off from our agenda. Joining hands with the BJP does not mean we have given up on secularism. Were the-se questions asked to the Congress when it joined hands with the Shiv Sena? What’s the difference between BJP and Sena on ideological terms?” asked Tatkare.

Adding that Uddhav Thack-eray stands with the agenda of Hindutva, he said, “The Shiv Sena of Uddhav Thackeray is against the BJP only because of differences over power sharing. It is not based on ideology. If a Sena candidate had been Chief Minister, he would not have broken the alliance. What ideology are we talking about? It is all about power.”

Accepting that the state is witnessing social unrest within various castes and communities protesting on the streets, Tatkare said that such politics is played when elections approach. “I only appeal to the political parties to not play politics based on demands raised by various castes and communities,” he said.

Questioning Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s demand to conduct caste census across the country, Tatkare asked whether he has a right to make such a demand. “The 2011 census has the data about castes. Why was it not made public by the UPA government, where Rahul Gandhi was in a driving position. What right does he have now to make such a demand,” he asked.