Today in Politics: Maha Vikas Aghadi to protest in Mumbai over Shivaji statue collapse

Addressing a press conference with NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar and Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said the government’s claim that the statue collapsed due to gusty winds is the “height of shamelessness”. Adding that there is “unease” in Maharashtra over the collapse, Thackeray announced the MVA’s plan to march from Hutatma Chowk to the Gateway of India in Mumbai on Sunday. Prominent leaders, including Pawar, from all MVA constituents are expected to join the protest.

The BJP, however, has questioned the relevance of the MVA’s agitation even after the PM apologised for the incident. Alleging that the MVA’s protest is politically motivated in view of the upcoming Assembly elections, the BJP claimed that previous governments led by the Congress did nothing to preserve the forts of Shivaji Maharaj.

In what appears to be a crack in the ruling alliance, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP had staged silent protests across the state on Thursday. The party defended its decision to protest and demand action against those responsible, saying that “everyone has a right to agitate” in a democracy.

RJD protest over reservation

In Bihar, the Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) is set to sit on a dharna at its Patna office on Sunday to demand a nationwide caste census and the inclusion of the 2023 quota increase in Bihar in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.

“Our government had provided 65% reservation for OBCs, SCs and STs, we had mentioned including it under the Ninth Schedule. The matter is sub-judice. We knew that the BJP didn’t want it. It wanted to end the reservation, so it didn’t include it in the Ninth Schedule. We had said that if (the state government) didn’t present it well in court, the RJD would approach the Supreme Court and present its position. So, we have announced an agitation on September 1 in Bihar. I too will be a part of it,” RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said on Saturday.

The Patna High Court in June had set aside the Bihar Reservation of Vacancies in Posts and Services (Amendment) Act, 2023, and The Bihar (In admission in Educational Institutions) Reservation (Amendment) Act, 2023 as violative of the equality clauses under Articles 14, 15 and 16.

The Bihar legislature had in 2023 amended both Acts and increased the reservation from 50% to 65% in jobs and higher educational institutions based on the finding of the state caste survey in 2022.

Meanwhile, in neighbouring Jharkhand, the Congress is beginning preparations for the Assembly polls expected to be held before the end of the year. After a three-member committee began its review of its preparations on Saturday, the committee is set to meet district party presidents and heads or corporations and commissions on Sunday.

– With PTI inputs