Shahu Chhatrapati, Congress candidate for Maharashtra’s Kolhapur Lok Sabha seat.
| Picture Credit score: By Particular Association
Shahu Chhatrapati, 75, the descendent of the twentieth century King Shahu identified for his perception in social justice, is contesting on a Congress ticket in Maharashtra’s Kolhapur Lok Sabha constituency. Chhatrapati’s entry into politics has modified the dynamics of western Maharashtra. In an interview with Frontline forward of the final election, Chhatrapati explains why the present Central authorities’s “autocratic” and “dictatorial” angle compelled him to enter electoral politics.
Excerpts:
You’ve been identified on your socio-cultural actions. However now at 75, you have got entered politics. What spurred you?
I’ve been within the periphery of politics. However I all the time had good contacts with politicians throughout the spectrum. Stepping into electoral politics is the necessity of the hour. Take a look at the state of affairs. The federal government is autocratic. So, many like-minded folks, in addition to the general public, used to speak to me about this. Lastly, they requested me to contest to oppose the state of affairs [the dictatorial attitude of government] firmly.
We’re seeing a number of optimistic modifications throughout the INDIA bloc in western Maharashtra. Are many outstanding households returning to the anti-BJP fold?
I imagine that their actions are impressed by the values that King Shivaji or King Shahu or Mahatma Gandhi had believed in. They’ve realised the necessity of the hour. I welcome it.
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Many outstanding households have joined the BJP in the previous couple of years. However now they’re returning. Is this transformation of coronary heart for actual?
Sure, I additionally hear many are returning. It’s a good factor. Any person ought to have raised their voice towards the state of affairs. I’d say they’ve realised what is true.
Why did you select the Congress? There was the choice of Shiv Sena or the Nationalist Congress Occasion (NCP)…
The one-word reply is ideology. My line of considering matches that of the Congress. The social gathering has carried out great work for the nation. It performed a serious function in making India unbiased. Put up Independence, the Congress has performed a pivotal function in bringing prosperity and stability to the lives of Indians. The social gathering is secular, and it’s all the time aligned with folks’s welfare.
There may be additionally robust criticism towards you. That you’re the king. If a standard individual needs to satisfy you for his work, would he be capable to?
That is propaganda. You’ll be able to ask any non-political organisation or establishment about my participation of their non-political work. I’ve been accessible on a regular basis. However, after I grow to be an MP, I’m additionally planning to open workplaces in every Meeting constituency. So, all of the work of the folks with me will get streamlined.
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You’ve been a supporter of the Maratha neighborhood’s protest for reservations. As you’re contesting the election, how do you see this subject getting solved?
Each time I get a possibility to talk to Maratha neighborhood members, I’ve stated allow us to all go to Delhi and meet the Prime Minister. As a result of the answer to extend the reservation cap past 50 per cent is simply within the palms of the Central authorities. That is the best strategy to clear up this subject.
So, as an MP, will you have got an analogous method? Will you increase the problem in Parliament?
Actually. I’m contesting with a Congress ticket. The Congress social gathering has assured the elevating of the bar of fifty per cent reservation. We now have additionally assured a caste census. This would be the strategy to discover a resolution for folks’s calls for.
Do you imagine {that a} caste census shall be a solution to the calls for of reservation?
Sure. This census will assist us know the actual image of society. It should assist enhance reservation. It should additionally give us a greater concept to design different insurance policies. So, a caste census is essential.
You’re the descendent of King Shahu who began reservations for the Bahujan Samaj for the primary time in India…
When Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj first launched the coverage of reservation, he too confronted criticism. However the coverage proved a very powerful step. Many vivid folks received a possibility. It’s time now to widen the scope of reservation and provides justice to all societies. This may have a nationwide affect.
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Your election marketing campaign is low profile. Is it strategic?
Frankly talking, I’m not that conscious of those modern-day marketing campaign methods. There’s a group that my youthful son, the Congress social gathering chief in Kolhapur, Satej Patil, and others are managing. I’m travelling round villages. You name it no matter you want. However I’ve all the time been like this.
What’s your imaginative and prescient for Kolhapur?
Kolhapur is legendary throughout India for its progressive values, for sports activities akin to wrestling, soccer, and meals. However Kolhapur was a pioneer metropolis in some ways. It introduced in new business, a reservation coverage, and modernised agriculture. I wish to make Kolhapur a centre of contemporary, progressive values once more…. improvement in each sections: ideological in addition to technological. It ought to grow to be the capital of concepts and progressive motion.
