Maharashtra Politics: Devendra Fadnavis accuses Uddhav Thackeray of cancelling reservation for Marathas

Report by Tikam Shekhawat

Pune, July 21, 2024: The political atmosphere in Maharashtra has heated up over the issue of Maratha reservations. On one side, Maratha leader Manoj Jarange Patil is on hunger strike again, while on the other, the ruling party and the opposition are criticising each other over the issue of Indian reservations. In this context, Devendra Fadnavis, speaking at a BJP conclave in Pune, also criticised the Mahavikas Aghadi over the controversial issue.

“The BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) has always made its stand clear on Maratha reservations. We have always believed that the poor Maratha community should get reservations. In fact, the battle for reservations started in 1982. At that time, Annasaheb Patil had asked the Congress chief minister for reservation. However, he did not grant reservation. Since then, many governments have come to the state. Sharad Pawar himself was the chief minister four times. However, he did not grant reservation,” Fadnavis said.

“We had given reservation to the Maratha community. Not only was the reservation granted, but it was also challenged in the High Court and the Supreme Court. However, while we were in power, the Supreme Court refused to stay the Maratha reservation three times. But due to misfortune, the Mahavikas Aghadi government came to the state under Uddhav Thackeray, and the Maratha reservation was cancelled,” Fadnavis criticised.

“After Eknath Shinde came to power, we gave 10 per cent reservation to the Maratha community. Today, the Maratha community is benefiting. Police recruitment is going on in the state and thousands of Maratha youth have got jobs. Even though all this is happening, the way the Maratha reservation policy is being played out is unfortunate,” he said.

“Today, the agitation over reservation for Marathas is continuing in the state. I appeal to Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar and Nana Patole to first clarify their stand on reservation for Marathas. They should first say whether it is permissible to grant reservation to OBC Marathas. However, the three leaders of Mahavikas Aghadi are taking a hypocritical stand regarding reservation,” Fadnavis said.