- January 29, 2024
Why the ruling coalition is divided over Maratha quota | India News – Times of India
NEW DELHI: Dissenting voices have emerged within the ruling coalition in Maharashtra over the draft notification giving a blanket Kunbi certificate to the Maratha community to claim reservation in education and jobs.
Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who belongs to the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP, has questioned the “backdoor entry” of Marathas into the OBC category.
On Sunday, he further said he was not satisfied with the state government’s decision on the reservation issue. “I have been fighting for the cause for the last 35 years and the fight was based on my personal thoughts. I was supported by political leaders, but today some of them are possibly under pressure and hence might have deviated from the fight for the community. However, I will continue my fight.”
Why
Activist Manoj Jarange on Saturday called off his indefinite fast for Maratha quota after the Maharashtra government accepted his demands.
CM Eknath Shinde announced that till Marathas get reservation, they will be given all the benefits enjoyed by the OBCs.
A draft notification was issued by the government following negotiations with Jarange, stating that blood relatives of a Maratha person, who has records to show that he belongs to the agrarian Kunbi community, would also be recognised as Kunbi.
Damage control
NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) leader Praful Patel on Sunday said the criticism of the Maharashtra government by Bhujbal over the Maratha quota issue is not the official stand of the party.
But …
Bhujbal, however, is not the only dissenting voice.
BJP leader and Union minister Narayan Rane also doesn’t agree with the decision, saying extending quota benefits to all Marathas would encroach on the rights of OBCs and could lead to unrest in Maharashtra.
BJP’s Pankaja Munde, though congratulated Marathas, demanded a white paper on the Kunbi certificates issued in the last 10 years.
Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who belongs to the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP, has questioned the “backdoor entry” of Marathas into the OBC category.
On Sunday, he further said he was not satisfied with the state government’s decision on the reservation issue. “I have been fighting for the cause for the last 35 years and the fight was based on my personal thoughts. I was supported by political leaders, but today some of them are possibly under pressure and hence might have deviated from the fight for the community. However, I will continue my fight.”
Why
Activist Manoj Jarange on Saturday called off his indefinite fast for Maratha quota after the Maharashtra government accepted his demands.
CM Eknath Shinde announced that till Marathas get reservation, they will be given all the benefits enjoyed by the OBCs.
A draft notification was issued by the government following negotiations with Jarange, stating that blood relatives of a Maratha person, who has records to show that he belongs to the agrarian Kunbi community, would also be recognised as Kunbi.
Damage control
NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) leader Praful Patel on Sunday said the criticism of the Maharashtra government by Bhujbal over the Maratha quota issue is not the official stand of the party.
But …
Bhujbal, however, is not the only dissenting voice.
BJP leader and Union minister Narayan Rane also doesn’t agree with the decision, saying extending quota benefits to all Marathas would encroach on the rights of OBCs and could lead to unrest in Maharashtra.
BJP’s Pankaja Munde, though congratulated Marathas, demanded a white paper on the Kunbi certificates issued in the last 10 years.
