Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday cautioned Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil to not “cross his limits” after the latter alleged that Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was conspiring to “eliminate” him. Asking the activist to exercise restraint, Shinde indicated that Patil may face legal action in order to “maintain law and order in the state”. Addressing a press conference in Mumbai Sunday evening, ahead of the budget session of the Assembly that begins Monday, Shinde said, “The (state) government showed patience but people should not test our patience. One should not cross his limits. This is a political conspiracy. The home department is aware of everything and no one should think that the government is not aware. The government will not support those who disrupt peace and law and order in the state.” In the afternoon, speaking to reporters in Antarwali-Saraati village of Jalna, where he has been fasting for 10 days, Jarange Patil said, “The government wants me to die while I am on hunger strike. It is Devendra Fadnavis who is conspiring to eliminate me by poisoning me through saline. That is why I have stopped taking IV fluids. Fadnavis plans to eliminate me either by administering poison in saline or in a police encounter.” Stating that the Deputy Chief Minister is working overtime to defeat the Maratha community, Jarange Patil said, “Fadnavis wants to end the supremacy of the Marathas. He is trying to do this by pitting one Maratha against the other. In this conspiracy, three MLAs belonging to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, two belonging to Ajit Pawar’s NCP and two from the BJP are involved.” Reacting to Patil’s remarks, Shinde warned Jarange Patil to exercise restraint, saying that the activist’s language has changed to that of the Opposition. “Initially, Jarange Patil made genuine demands and was honest with his cause (of Maratha reservation). But now he is constantly changing his demands. Despite that we fulfilled all the demands. now his language has changed. he is speaking the language of Opposition leaders Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray,” Shinde said. Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar were also present at the press conference held in the Sahyadri guest house. Indicating that Jarange may face legal action, Shinde warned that people should not cross their limits and law will take its course if anyone breaks it. “The police and home department will take appropriate action to maintain law and order in the state,” Shinde said. Alleging that Union Minister Narayan Rane has taken away some of his associates from Beed and Jalna, Jarange Patil said, “Through them, they are trying to defame me. It is Devendra Fadnavis who is behind this conspiracy. Fadnavis thinks he is a Brahmin and, therefore, he can defeat the Marathas. If a person does not listen to him, he goes to the extent of finishing him off. He hates people making progress and going ahead of him. He does not like any other caste making progress. He admires those who become his slaves.” After speaking to reporters, Jarange Patil started heading towards Mumbai in his vehicle. High drama ensued as villagers tried to stop him from leaving Antarwali-Saraati. However, the activist travelled a short distance before members of the Maratha community finally stopped him in a nearby village and urged him to first take care of his health before going to Mumbai. Fadnavis said that Jarange is speaking the language of NCP-SP leader Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray. “The government knows who has given the script and will expose the mastermind behind the conspiracy. Manoj Jarange is speaking out of despair. I have no idea what kind of sympathy he wants,” Fadnavis said, adding that if anyone stages protest without disrupting law and law and order, then there is no issue. “But if the law is not followed, police will have to take appropriate action,” Fadnavis added. On February 20, the Maharashtra Assembly unanimously passed a Bill granting 10 per cent reservation to the Maratha community in education and jobs. However, Jarange Patil said it was a betrayal as it may not stand the scrutiny of law. “We have been demanding that we should be given a quota in the OBC category. But the government has given us a separate reservation, exceeding the 50 per cent ceiling and will not stand the scrutiny of the law,” he said then.
