Chhagan Bhujbal says got police input that he might be shot dead

Bhujbal said that he is being targeted despite the fact that he is also taking the similar stand like all the parties that reservation should not be given to Maratha community from OBC quota.

“(Maratha quota activist) Manoj Jarange Patil says that he will take care of Bhujbal. Indirectly threats are being issued. Then suddenly my police security was increased. When I asked the reason, I was told that there was input from above (intelligence agencies). There is a police report that I might be shot dead. So security has been increased,” Bhujbal said.

The minister added that he has been receiving abuses and threats from the people purportedly from Maratha community over phone on a daily basis and that he has also filed police complaints but action has been taken.

“Now a social media post on attack on Bhujbal Knowledge City, Bhujbal Farm office on December 24 (the last day of ultimatum given by Manoj Jarange Patil to government to announce the reservation to Marathas) is being circulated. It means that preparations are being made to attack us again. I am ready to die. Give reservation to Marathas and stop this mob rule, that’s all I am saying. Today it will be Bhujbal. Tomorrow there will be someone else. Are you (government) going to be keep quiet? Will you just keep watching? This is my question to Maharashtra,” he said.

Last month, Bhujbal had taken on the state government over its handling of the Maratha quota stir, questioning its “mollycoddling” of Maratha activists. The minister has been addressing rallies of OBC community to oppose the decision of the government to give Kunbi caste certificates to all Marathas on the demand of Jarange Patil.

Patil and Bhujbal were engaged in a war of words for the past few weeks.

“All communities are equal to me. But Bhujbal is being portrayed as anti- Maratha. I am not opposed to Marathas or any caste. I want Marathas to get the reservation. When the Maratha Reservation Bill was introduced in the Assembly twice, I supported it. Everyone is talking about giving reservation to the Maratha community without touching the OBC quota. I am also saying the same thing but still I am becoming the target,” he said during the discussion on the issue of the reservation to Marathas.

He also said that the government should provide funds to Mahatma Phule Research and Training Institute (Mahajyoti) — an institution under Other Backward Classes Bahujan Welfare Department — the way it is funding other institutions.

Bhujbal also pointed out that not even Rs 1000 crore has not been allotted till date for Mahajyoti.

He said that also demanded an immediate opening of 72 hostels announced for OBC students and that students from the community should get Rs 6,000 per month on the basis of Swadhar.

Citing “evidence”, the minister also stated that the OBC reservation in government jobs is only 9.5 per cent despite it being 27 per cent, while demanding that the backlog of vacant posts of OBCs should be filled first.

He said that there is a demand of all to conduct a caste census to resolve the issue of reservation. “Census should be conducted in the state accordingly,” he said.