Cancellation of reservation dampens spirit of future sarpanchs

Aurangabad, Dec 15:

The state government has decided to cancel the reservation of the post of Sarpanch of the Gram Panchayat (GP) and declare the reservation after the elections. This decision has dampened the spirit of the future sarpanch in Waluj area. Likewise the cancellation of the reservation for the post of sarpanch has increased the anxiety of many.

A week ago, the reservation for Sarpanch posts in 8 districts including Aurangabad was lifted. However, the state government has decided to announce the reservation for the Sarpanch post after the GP elections in order to curb the horse trading and to put pressure on those contesting the elections on the basis of false caste certificates. This decision came as a shock to the political members of Ranjangaon, Jogeshwari, Waluj, Waladgaon, Pandharpur, Wadgaon-Bajajnagar, Tisgaon, Patoda and Narayanpur which are known to be economically prosperous GPs in the Waluj industrial area. After the reservation was announced, the political activists had started gathering support to establish dominance over the GPs in the industrial area. However, as the reservation has been canceled, the race is on for securing a place in the panel in the villages. According to political experts, many deserving candidates may lose their chance of becoming Sarpanch. The political movement will gain momentum once the elections are over.

Will help prevent horse trading

Former Waluj sarpanch Ranjana Bhond supported the government''s decision. She said the decision would help curb the horse trading and there would not be much change in the reservation with minor exceptions.