Days after activist Manoj Jarange-Patil gave another ultimatum to Maharashtra government over reservation to the Maratha community, state BJP vice president Prasad Lad Monday accused Opposition parties of misleading him.
On October 14, Jarange-Patil gave the Maharashtra government 10 days to address the issue of the Maratha reservation as he addressed a huge public rally in Jalna district.
Jarange-Patil, who has demanded reservation for Marathas within the OBC category, also warned that if the reservation was not implemented, he would launch another agitation across the state.
Referring to Jarange-Patil’s aggressive stance, Lad said, “Everybody should look at the Maratha reservation issue objectively. The matter is complex. The reservation should also withstand legal and constitutional norms”.
Emphasising the BJP-led coalition government’s commitment to the reservation, he said the process to put it in place also has to be followed. Lad said, “Some politicians and parties are trying to mislead Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil. Under the garb of Maratha reservation, these politicians and parties are trying to push their own agenda.”
Instead of questioning the BJP, they should appreciate the sincere endeavour made by Devendra Fadnavis when he was CM from 2014 to 2019 to procure reservations for Marathas, he said.“Fadnavis as CM had facilitated Marathas reservation under the Socially and Educationally Backward Class Act. Unfortunately, during Maha Vikas Aghadi government, the reservation was struck down by the Supreme Court,” he added.
The BJP leader pointed out that the demand for Maratha reservation was not new, and further questions why Maratha CMs such as Babasaheb Bhosale, Vasantdada Patil, Shakira Chavan, Vilasrao Deshmukh, Sharad Pawar and others had failed to give Marathas reservation.
“Instead of criticising Fadnavis who had made an honest attempt, it is time everybody reflects on why other CMs failed,” he said.
Maratha reservation is a social and sensitive issue and should not be dragged into politics, he said. “Some people are trying to use the reservation issue to create unrest and divisions in society. I appeal to Marathas that they should not fall prey to those serving their own interest via the issue.”
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After Jarange-Patil’s demand for Maratha reservation under the OBC category, Maharashtra Revenue Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said they don’t “subscribe” to his “wrong” demand.
Vikhe Patil also pointed out that Marathas are “unanimous in seeking reservation in government education and jobs” but have never sought quota under OBC category.
After Jarange-Patil’s latest demand, the state government is under pressure to deliver. OBC organisations have warned they will hold bigger rallies to counter the demand for Maratha reservation under OBC category.