Senior leaders and party workers of Congress and NCP must have heaved a sigh of relief after the state government announced reservations for the Maratha and Muslim communities, as was being demanded to secure the political future of the ruling Democratic Front. For them, it was the only hope after a dismal show in the Lok Sabha polls.

Even senior leaders such as Sharad Pawar had, soon after the poll outcome, demanded reservations, along with relief to traders from the local body tax (LBT).