NCP puts forth its pro-Dalit agenda
Ketaki Ghoge, Hindustan Times
Mumbai, June 11, 2011
The Nationalist Congress Party's (NCP) 12th foundation day rally
celebrated on Friday as a social justice convention was a
show-of-strength statement in the backdrop of the upcoming local
self-government polls. It was also a serious attempt to present a
broader and more inclusive identity of the NC
P, largely known as the party of Marathas, by flagging a pro-dalit and
backward class agenda.
The charter of demands by the party included renaming of Dadar station
as Chaityabhoomi, greater financial subsidies, education opportunities
and reservation in government schemes, among others.
The rally had leaders organising special trains from Vidarbha and
hundreds of buses came in from cities such as Nashik and Pune. The
organisers claimed the gathering was around 1.5 lakh.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar assured the crowd: "Fruits of progress should
go to the last man in the hierarchy and this charter will try and
bring benefits of government schemes to the poorest families."
The charter is to be submitted to the central as well as state
governments. The sops include 90% subsidy for sprinkler irrigation for
backward class farmers and adivasis, building of three lakh homes for
them, 10% reservation in Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee
(APMC) stalls, reservation in MIDC plots, more scholarships for higher
studies and hostels.
The party also plans to take up a drive for ensuring speedier caste
certificates to backward class families on the lines of ration card.
In a bid to woo minorities, it has called for terming Neo Buddhists
and Christians converted post-1956 as scheduled castes. The party
faces a serious challenge in the upcoming elections, which it is
contesting solo, and faces its ally, Congress, as one of the rivals.
In the last elections, the party saw its vote bank shrinking and is
looking at ways to consolidate its base in rural areas and making
better foray into towns and cities.
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