27% OBC quota will remain intact: Fadnavis

Referring to the recent Supreme Court directive on conducting local body elections under the new ward structure with 27 per cent reservation for the Other Backward Class (OBC), Fadnavis said, “ In 2020 the 27 political reservation for OBC came under threat. But our government pursued it and restored it in its entirety.”

Fadnavis’ remarks assume significance as the BJP seems to be proactively reaching out to the OBC ahead of the local body elections in the state, scheduled to be held later this year.

After the Lok Sabha elections held last year, many had attributed the BJP’s dismal performance to the Maratha reservation agitation spearheaded by quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil.

Jarange Patil has sought reservation for Marathas within OBC quota — a demand the OBC organisations had outright rejected.

In last year’s Assembly polls, the BJP-led Mahayuti had returned to power after winning a record majority.

Fadnavis, during the speech, said the OBC community’s support, along with others, helped in BJP’s victory.

“I firmly believe the OBC community should be brought to the mainstream as they are the backbone of the country and state,” he said.

Ahead of the civic polls, Jarange Patil has now threatened to launch an agitation to demand Maratha reservation, beginning with a morcha at Mumbai on August 26.

The state government has repeatedly stated it was not against Maratha reservation but that it was against including Marathas within the OBC quota.

“I am often accused of being pro-OBC. As the head of a state, I have always taken all communities along. But I believe those segments which are lagging behind deserve to be given a helping hand,” the CM said.

Fadnavis also assured the OBC community that demands presented by them during the convention will be implemented by the government.