The first LGBTQ cell of Maharashtra set by NCP

Mumbai: The NCP on Monday set up its first lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ) cell and claimed it is the first political party in the country to take such a step. The party-state president Jayant Patil and MP Supriya Sule formally launched the cell in Mumbai, which will be headed by Priya Patil, a transgender activist.  The NCP also became the first party in Maharashtra to nominate an LGBT activist for a prominent political position.

Daughter of NCP supreme Sharad Pawar and Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule, said, “We felt LGBT community needs equal rights, so we made a separate cell for them. The purpose of this cell is to solve the problems of the gay community”.

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The LGBTQ cell head Priya Patil pointed out the cell will work to ensure the community members get their rights. Apart from Priya Patil, the cell will have 13 other office-bearers as per the official statement. Earlier, the NCP in its election manifesto had promised formation of the LGBT cell.

Further, Party State Chief Jayant Patil mentioned, “The LGBT community faces a number of problems including education and health. As promised in our election manifesto, we will continue our efforts to bring them into the mainstream. This is the first step in fulfilling our promise”.

There are total 7319 NGOs in Maharashtra and total 42,000 NGOs in India which are helping in upliftment and betterment of the LGBTQ. However, this is the first cell formed by a political party to help LGBTQ who are deprived of their rights.