Gaikwad went on to accuse Gandhi of committing “the biggest treachery” against marginalized communities like Marathas, Dhangars, and OBCs, who are fighting for reservation rights. He further criticized the Congress leader for allegedly trying to reverse progress by 400 years.

Congress Leaders Demand Action

Several Congress leaders in Maharashtra have condemned Gaikwad’s remarks. Opposition leader Vijay Wadettiwar labeled the comments “nonsense” and called for strict action. Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe expressed outrage, stating that Gaikwad “does not deserve to live in society and politics,” and MLC Bhai Jagtap criticized the deterioration of state politics.

BJP Distances Itself

In response to the backlash, BJP president Chandrashekar Bawankule distanced the party from Gaikwad’s comments, saying they do not endorse such statements. However, Bawankule highlighted past remarks made by Nehru, Rajiv Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi regarding reservations, emphasizing that these historical views should also be considered.

The incident has intensified the ongoing debate around reservation policies and political discourse in India.