Pune advocates send legal notice to EC, seek clarification on quota promises ahead of Maharashtra polls

The legal notice aims to clarify whether any reservation promises made based on caste, religion, or specific communities during the campaign, for the purpose of vote-garnering, would constitute appeasement.

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The advocates said they expect a prompt response on whether discussing or promising reservations based on religion and caste during the campaign is permissible. (Representational image)

Four Pune-based advocates have requested an urgent clarification from the State Election Commission (SEC) on whether promising specific reservations—such as expanding Muslim reservations, increasing OBC reservations, or granting Dhangar and Maratha reservations—could be deemed appeasement based on caste or religion, thus constituting a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

In a legal notice, advocates Asim Sarode, Shriya Awale, Balkrishna Nidhalkar, and Ramesh Taru wrote, “The Maharashtra State Assembly Elections 2024 have recently been announced. Campaigning by political parties and candidates has begun, and all are required to adhere to the Model Code of Conduct to ensure a free and fair election process.”

Sarode explained that the legal notice aims to clarify whether any reservation promises made based on caste, religion, or specific communities during the campaign, for the purpose of vote-garnering, would constitute appeasement.

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He questioned, “Would such promises amount to a breach of the Model Code of Conduct applicable in the 2024 Maharashtra State Assembly Election, and could they be considered an offense under any other law?”

Sarode further emphasized the need for the SEC to provide clarity through a press conference, adding, “It is crucial to know whether political party leaders are allowed, in public speeches during campaigns, to discuss reservations for specific castes or religions, and if such discussions would be considered appeasement.”

The advocates said they expect a prompt response on whether discussing or promising reservations based on religion and caste during the campaign is permissible. “This legal notice aims to support free and fair elections, and prior clarification on this subject would help prevent criminalization and complaints over related offenses,” they stated in the notice.

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