Chhagan Bhujbal meets Sharad Pawar, seeks his intervention on Maratha quota issue
Bhujbal, one of the biggest OBC leaders in Maharashtra, is against the inclusion of Marathas in the Kunbi (OBC) category.
3 min read
Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal with NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar. (Express file photo by Ganesh Shirsekar)Maharashtra minister and senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal met NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar at his residence on Monday, seeking the veteran politician’s intervention in the ongoing debate over reservation for Maratha and OBC communities.
The meeting comes days after Bhujbal’s recent criticism of Pawar at a public rally in Baramati, where he attacked the veteran politician for his absence at an all-party meeting convened by the state government to address concerns regarding Maratha reservation.
“I requested Sharad Pawar to look into this matter because the situation in Maharashtra, particularly in some districts, is very tense. The division between the Marathas and OBCs has reached such a level that they are not even going to each other’s hotels for having food. They are neither buying goods from each other, nor attending weddings,” said Bhujbal about his meeting with Pawar.
The NCP leader, who had gone to meet Pawar without appointment, kept waiting for one-and -half hours. “He (Pawar) was not feeling well. I had to wait as he was resting,” Bhujbal said.
“Pawar has agreed to take the initiative and discuss the issue with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and other important leaders in the state,” said Bhujbal.
“When Pawar was the Chief Minister, he had resolved the issues of OBCs in the state. Now, the situation demands his intervention again,” said Bhujbal adding that Pawar will look into the matter after his health improves.
Bhujbal, one of the biggest OBC leaders in Maharashtra, is against the inclusion of Marathas in the Kunbi (OBC) category. Maratha social activist Manoj Jarange-Patil has targeted Bhujbal for his stand.
Bhujbal, who was in Baramati on Sunday, said, “Last week, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde convened an all-party meeting in Mumbai to discuss the reservation issue. Everything was fine. However, around 5pm, someone called from Baramati and the Opposition leaders backed out.” Baramati is a bastion of Sharad Pawar.
Bhujbal’s meeting with Sharad Pawar has again given rise to speculations that he was not happy with the Ajit Pawar-led NCP and is planning to return to Sharad Pawar’s faction. He and senior party leaders however rejected such reports.
Maharashtra NCP president Sunil Tatkare said Bhujbal is the senior most leader of the party and his every action should not be seen through a political prism. Bhujbal said that he would visit anyone, including Uddhav Thackeray, Narendra Modi as well as Rahul Gandhi to solve the issue of reservation.
On Bhujbal’s meeting with Sharad Pawar, NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad said, “It is a reflection of Sharad Pawar’s generosity that he allocates time to individuals who hold contrasting views, even within the public domain.”
Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole pointed out that a senior minister in the government came to the Opposition to seek advice. “It means that we are on the right track and stand stronger,” he said.
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