Maharashtra Politics: As soon as Devendra Fadnavis took oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, the issue of Maratha reservation has arisen once again. Maratha reservation movement leader Manoj Jarange Patil has given one month’s time to the new government of Maharashtra to resolve the issue. He said that the issue of giving reservation to the Maratha community should be resolved by January 5.
He said that I wish the new government of Maharashtra all the best but this government will have to solve the problems of the people of the state. He said in a warning tone that if this issue is not resolved by January 5, we will sabotage the new government.
The issue of reservation arose with the coronation.
After the assembly elections in Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis took charge of the state as the Chief Minister on Thursday itself. During the swearing-in ceremony held at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde and NCP leader Ajit Pawar also took oath as Deputy CMs. Even during Shinde’s tenure as Chief Minister, the issue of Maratha reservation was raised but till now this problem has not been resolved.
During the assembly elections, Maratha reservation movement leader Manoj Jarange Patil had also announced to field his candidates but later he distanced himself from the assembly elections. After the ruling Mahayuti got a huge majority during the assembly elections, he not only congratulated the new government but also warned of heating up the atmosphere in the state once again regarding the Maratha reservation movement.
Ultimatum to defeat the government
Congratulating Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and both the Deputy CMs for the new responsibility, Patil said that these leaders should take steps towards resolving the issue of Maratha reservation. Now no drama of any kind should be done on this issue. He announced to give one month’s time to the new government. Patil warned that if the issue is not resolved by January 5, we will destroy the new government.
Patil said that the new government should keep in mind that the people of the state have elected them and the people in the new government should work to win the hearts of the people of the state. He said that after the cabinet expansion, we will announce a mass hunger strike to take care of the Maratha community. Patil said that it would be a good thing if the new Chief Minister Fadnavis is successful in resolving the issue of Maratha reservation.
Fadnavis promises to resolve the issue
During his first press conference after taking oath as Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis had clarified his government’s stand regarding Maratha reservation. He said that we had tried to provide justice to the Maratha community during the previous government and we promise that we will continue to provide justice to the Maratha community. He said the issue has already been raised in the state assembly.
Fadnavis said that the report was sent to the Central Government during the tenure of the previous government. At present this matter is pending in the court and we have also filed a supporting affidavit in the court. We have made our stand clear in favor of the Maratha community and we will take serious initiative in this matter.
BJP does not want to anger the Maratha community
During his previous tenure, Fadnavis had proposed giving 16 percent reservation to the Maratha community, but the Supreme Court had canceled it citing the constitutional obligation of 50 percent. In February this year, the Shinde government had decided to give 10 percent reservation to the Maratha community by passing the bill, but the matter has reached the court.
Political experts say that after the big victory in the Maharashtra assembly elections, BJP does not want to take the risk of angering the Maratha community. The population of Maharashtra is said to be around 13 crores and 28 percent of them are people of Maratha community. Maratha community is believed to dominate about four dozen assembly seats in the state. In such a situation, it is believed that BJP will try to woo the Maratha community. Now it remains to be seen whether Fadnavis gets success in this work or not.
