‘Everyone knows who’s firing from Jarange Patil’s shoulder’: Fadnavis says govt won’t yield to politics behind Maratha stir

Launching a scathing attack at his political opponents, Fadnavis said, “By now, everyone knows who is firing from Manoj Jarange Patil’s shoulder. Such political plots will not work. Nor will they benefit electorally.”

Though Fadnavis refrained from taking the name of any political party or individual, the message appeared to be directed against the Nationalist Congress Party (SP) led by Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT).

Fadnavis said, “All those who are questioning the Mahayuti government should tell us what they did during their tenure. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government led by Uddhav Thackeray should show us at least one decision taken for Marathas’ interest during its 2.5-year tenure.”

“The Maratha community received maximum support and help from our government. For the first time, it was during my term as chief minister that we revived the Annabhau Sathe Arthik Mahamandal which helped create 1.5 lakh Maratha entrepreneurs. The mandal, led by Narendra Patil, played a major role in the empowerment of Marathas,” he said.

“Even Maratha reservation was first given during my tenure (2014-2019). From the construction of student hostels to scholarships, training of shudders for IAS, IPS, UPSC through the SARTHi scheme were all taken by our government,” he added.

While reiterating that reservation for Marathas under OBC was irrational, Fadnavis said, “We have to understand that OBCs constitute 350 communities. We cannot dilute their reservation.” The government has already given a 10 per cent separate quota for Marathas.

According to Fadnavis, the government has always cooperated and stood by the community, and remains committed to its upliftment. “If the agitation is for the upliftment of the poor within the community socio-economically, we are willing to consider. But if it is for political purposes, it cannot be entertained.”

He added that the government has nevertheless given permission to Jarange Patil to hold the latest protest. “We are not imposing any restrictions. The guidelines were in accordance with the Bombay High Court’s directions,” he said, while stating, “The state government has always viewed the Maratha agitation from a socio-economic perspective. For us, the upliftment of the poor within the community remains an important aspect.”

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