Sharad Pawar slams state govt for growing animosity between Marathas, OBCs

Pawar said, three decades ago, he had made a mistake with regard to renaming of Marathwada University. “I decided to rename the university after discussing the issue with MLAs and MLCs which had adverse repercussions in Marathwada. There was much opposition to it. I realised my mistake. I made the decision in Mumbai rather than in Marathwada. I did not hold a dialogue with those who were against the decision. After that I visited several colleges in Marathwada and interacted with students which left a positive impact on them. Later, they gave consent to our decision. Today, the reservation issue is raging in Marathwada. A dialogue must be initiated with the young generation. We will surely do this.”

Pawar said, “Maratha quota leader Manoj Jarange Patil has also supported reservations for Lingayats, Muslims and Dhangars. His stance is likely to ease the divide between communities. It is a good sign that the CM and his colleagues are in touch with Jarange.”

Pawar lamented that some state ministers are also in touch with Jarange’s opponents, which is creating an atmosphere of suspicion. “The state government should take all communities into confidence. The CM initiates dialogue with Jarange while he is asking Minister Chhagan Bhujbal to speak to OBC leaders. Some people are kept out of discussions which is not right,” he said. The government should hold a collective discussion with Maratha quota leaders and the OBCs leaders, he added.