Some people seeking publicity, says Fadnavis as OBC activists interrupt his speech in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Some OBC activists raised slogans against the September 2 government resolution, which paves the way for members of the Maratha community to obtain Kunbi caste certificates. Maratha community members with the Kunbi (an agrarian caste) lineage can apply for OBC certificates, which will make them eligible to access Other Backward Classes reservation benefits in jobs and education. The activists argued that the inclusion of Maratha community in OBC category will impact their quota and demanded that the government should not implement the Hyderabad Gazette. The police detained the protestors and took them into custody.

Talking to reporters, one of the protesters while being taken away said, “We condemn the government for doing injustice to the OBCs.”

”When the event to mark the Marathwada Liberation Day was being celebrated, some people indulged in sloganeering. This is an insult to the freedom fighters. Some people tried to seek publicity which is not appropriate,” said the Chief Minister.

Continuing his speech after the interruption, Fadnavis said Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar will become the country’s electric vehicle (EV) capital as it is a favourite investment destination.

On the region’s industrial development, Fadnavis said he had earlier mentioned that Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna and the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor here will be the next industrial magnet of Maharashtra. “Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar can be called a favourite investment destination. The investment by Hyundai shows that companies are preferring cities such as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. It will now become the country’s EV capital,” he said.

Fadnavis also said the Latur coach factory, which will start soon, will employ 14,000 persons. “The state government will keep working for the development of Marathwada,” the CM asserted.

“This day is not just a day of Independence for Marathwada but also a day for ‘unified India’. We are making efforts for the Marathwada region’s development. Heavy rainfall took place in Marathwada (recently), leading to the death of some of our brothers and sisters. The state government stands firmly with the people and farmers, and will provide assistance to those who faced losses,” Fadnavis said.

“Marathwada is a drought-prone region. Our government has decided to make drought here a thing of the past. We have brought water from Krishna river valley in Marathwada. In the second phase, excess water in Sangli and Kolhapur will be diverted here along with 54 TMC of water from the Ulhas river valley,” he said adding that the actual work for the irrigation projects to bring more water to Marathwada will start in the next six months.

“The necessary permission for the above projects has been obtained and the DPR of these projects will be ready by December. We will float tenders for these projects in January-February next year,” said Fadnavis.

Notably, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve, who hails from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, on Tuesday claimed the state government was anti-Marathwada and did not fulfil its promises for the region. Responding to this, Fadnavis said,  “On September 16, 2023, a Cabinet meeting took place here. Some people questioned what happened to the decisions taken in that meeting. We have given ₹61 crore for the Ghrishneshwar temple (Ellora), we made a provision of ₹541 crore for the Tulja Bhavani temple (Tuljapur), the plan for Aundha Nagnath (Hingoli) was also sanctioned.”

The Chief Minister also mentioned about the buses provided, the development of roads, anganwadis and self-help groups in the region.

“Beed Zilla Parishad building is 70 per cent complete. There is a lot of work going on. The government has acted on every decision it has taken earlier for the region,” he said.

The state government has sanctioned a water pipeline scheme of ₹2,700 crore for Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. “The state is also paying ₹822 crore as part of the municipal corporation in the scheme. The project is in the last phase now,” said Fadnavis.

Jump before Ajit Pawar’s convoy in Beed

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Wednesday was heading for an event in Beed when two men suddenly jumped before his cavalcade and tried to end their lives by pouring some hazardous material on themselves. Police immediately took them into custody.

(With inputs from PTI)