Mumbai: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said that India would see more than one ‘Maharashtrian’ as its Prime Minister (PM) by the year 2050.
On being asked if India will see Maharashtrian PM by 2050, Mr Fadnavis replied, “Why not? Of course we’ll see Maharashtrian PM by 2050. If anyone has really ruled India in real sense, it is Maharashtrians. By 2050, more than one Maharashtrian would occupy PM’s post.”
However, the country has not seen any Maharashtrian Prime Minister yet.
The chief minister made the remarks at a public interview at the inaugural session of the 16th Jagatik Marathi Sammelan (world marathi conference) in Nagpur. Congress leader Sushilkumar Shinde and Union minister Nitin Gadkari also attended the session.
“We have the capability to reach Attock (a city, now in Pakistan, that was conquered by Maratha armies in the 18th century). Hence, I fully believe that by 2050 we will see not only one but more than one Maharashtrians in the highest post in the country,” said Mr Fadnavis.
Mr Gadkari said that it is necessary to guard Marathi identity along with national identity.
Commenting on Maratha reservation, the chief minister further said that it wouldn’t completely solve the issue of employment for Marathas. “If reservation is given to every community, even then the government jobs can’t be availed by 90 per cent of the young generation. The government can give only 25,000 jobs per year, hence reservation is not a solution,” Mr Fadnavis said.
