‘Ask Eknath Shinde why Marathas are back in Mumbai’: Raj Thackeray questions former CM’s claim of resolving quota row last year
As activist Manoj Jarange Patil’s Maratha quota protest enters Day 2 at Azad Maidan, MNS chief Raj Thackeray said Deputy CM Eknath Shinde was to be held responsible for the agitation.
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The agitation has disrupted traffic across south and central Mumbai, brought civic services to a crawl, and forced cancellation of several events, as protesters continue their indefinite fast on the streets and at Azad Maidan, keeping the authorities on their toes. (Express Photo)Amid the Manoj Jarange Patil-led Maratha quota protest in Mumbai, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde by holding him responsible for the ongoing agitation, recalling how he had claimed to have “resolved” the matter in Navi Mumbai last year.
“Ask Eknath Shinde why the Marathas have come to Mumbai. Only he can answer this. He was the one who had gone earlier and met Jarange Patil. If he had gone to Navi Mumbai earlier (in January 2024) and claimed to have resolved the Maratha quota issue, then why have they come now? I think everything about this issue should be asked of Shinde only. He can only answer this,” Thackeray said.
The MNS chief was referring to January 27, 2024, when Jarange Patil led thousands of Marathas into Navi Mumbai. After two days of deliberations and meetings, Shinde, then the chief minister, rushed to the protest site and announced a government resolution promising Kunbi caste certificates to eligible Marathas.
Jarange Patil had then broken his fast after accepting juice from Shinde and urged his followers to celebrate, hailing and praising Shinde. The mood was jubilant, and crowds cheered, hailing Shinde as the “son of a Maratha” who had delivered long-awaited justice.
Thackeray’s remarks have come at a time when Jarange Patil and thousands of supporters have been camping at Azad Maidan in Mumbai on Saturday, for the second day in a row, pressing for reservation under the OBC category through Kunbi status.
The agitation has disrupted traffic across south and central Mumbai, brought civic services to a crawl, and forced cancellation of several events, as protesters continue their indefinite fast on the streets and at Azad Maidan, keeping the authorities on their toes.
The state government, under pressure to respond, on Saturday activated a cabinet sub-committee headed by senior minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil. The 12-member panel has been empowered to hold talks with Jarange Patil.
After a meeting in Mumbai, Vikhe Patil said the government remained “positive” on the issue. “The Marathas should get reservation. A delegation of retired Justice Sandeep Shinde along with the divisional commissioner and other officials will go and meet Jarange Patil to discuss,” he said, adding that facilities were being provided to the protesters.
Political observers say that Thackeray’s pointed reminder has revived uncomfortable questions for Shinde and shifted focus from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to the deputy chief minister. “If the issue was truly settled in January 2024, why are Marathas once again out on the streets in such large numbers?” Professor Mrudul Nile said, adding, “By insisting that only Shinde can answer, Raj Thackeray has turned the spotlight back on Shinde, forcing him to carry the weight of political accountability for the renewed crisis.”
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