Maratha vs OBC friction over quota causes schism within ‘Mahayuti’ allies

Tussle between Maratha & OBC communities strains Mahayuti parties; CM urges restraint; OBC leaders oppose Maratha quota; Pankaja Munde visits Kshirsagar family; Dhangar community demands ST quota.

The tussle between Maratha and other backward class (OBC) communities against the backdrop of the ongoing Maratha quota stir is causing strain between the ruling ‘Mahayuti’ parties, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday urging restraint upon his cabinet Ministers, particularly Chhagan Bhujbal of the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction, from making any controversial statement that could aggravate tensions between the two communities.

Despite this, Mr. Bhujbal continued to voice his vocal opposition to Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil’s demand that the Marathas be given Kunbi OBC certificates, while alleging that there was a plan afoot to push out the OBCs from their existing reservation benefits.

According to sources, Mr. Shinde, at Wednesday’s cabinet meeting, reportedly expressed displeasure over Mr. Bhujbal’s recent comments against Mr. Jarange Patil and the government’s promise of granting Marathas a quota by including them under the OBC Kunbi category.   

Speaking after a hearing in the Bombay High Court on a petition that sought to stay the benefits granted to OBCs, Mr. Bhujbal said, “A program is underway to elbow out the OBCs from their existing reservation benefits. The government is doing all wrong things by acceding to [Mr. Jarange Patil’s] demands that all Marathas will be granted Kunbi OBC certificates. By this process, all the blood relatives of a Maratha who has given proof of being a Kunbi are to be given OBC certificates. While we do not oppose Maratha reservation, they cannot enter the OBC category by backdoor means.”

Mr. Bhujbal’s concerns found an echo in remarks made by another influential OBC leader, Congressman Vijay Wadettiwar, who is also Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly.

“What Mr. Bhujbal has said is correct. They [the Marathas] will have to go through the proper process of being accorded reservation. I urge Jarange Patil to be patient and show restraint on this matter. There are several members of the OBC community who are in dire economic straits today,” said Mr. Wadettiwar.  

Meanwhile, Mr. Jarange Patil continued trading barbs with OBC leaders, accusing them of attempting to block the Maratha reservation process while warning that he would disclose the names of such leaders if the government failed to deliver the Maratha quota by December 24.