Mumbai: NCP manifesto released on Monday, remains silent on crucial political issues such as job reservations for Marathas, but expresses support for the creation of a separate state of Vidarbha.
The 41-page document states that it is committed to economic growth, welfare of minorities and schedule castes and tribes, job creation, and speedy implementation of infrastructure projects.
Maratha leaders have been demanding for several years that their community be included in the category of other backward classes (OBC) and be made eligible for reservations in government jobs and educational institutions. NCP is considered to be more sympathetic towards the cause of reservations for the Maratha community as a majority of its leadership, including the Pawars, belong to that community.
NCP spokesman Nawak Malik said the party decided to omit the Maratha issue from its manifesto for the national election as it is more a matter for the state government.