Bhujbal attempting to 'damage' Ajit Pawar, Devendra Fadnavis: Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange

Manoj Jarange. Pic/PTI

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Sunday said Maharashtra Minister Chhagan Bhujbal was trying to "damage" Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis with his statements about the Maratha reservation, reported news agency PTI.

The minister has accused the state government of facilitating "backdoor entry" of the Maratha community into the OBC quota and claimed that he resigned from the state cabinet in November last year.

Bhujbal, who belongs to the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the NCP, has alleged that the process of gathering data to determine the Maratha community's backwardness through a survey by the state backward classes commission is flawed, reported PTI.

Speaking to reporters at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange rubbished Bhujbal's allegations that fake and overwritten records were being used to get the reservation for the Maratha community, reported PTI.

"He (Bhujbal) doesn't understand anything. There is a law, a government, a committee and scholars working on this issue, but Bhujbal doubts his own government. He is trying to damage Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar," the activist said, reported PTI.

When asked about Bhujbal's alleged appeal to barbers not to offer their services to Marathas, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange said, "I think Bhujbal wants people to die of hunger whether they are Marathas or belong to other castes. The OBCs should become sensible and not empower Bhujbal," reported PTI.

He further claimed that it has become Bhujbal's business to damage every party he joins.

"If he (Bhujbal) wants to resign, he should do it, but should not talk against Maratha reservation," Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange said, reported PTI.

Addressing a rally in Ahmednagar on Saturday, Bhujbal, who has accused the Maharashtra government of facilitating "backdoor entry" of the Maratha community into the Other Backward Class (OBC) quota, said he tendered his resignation from the state cabinet on November 16, 2023.

The senior OBC leader further said he kept quiet for more than two months because the chief minister and the deputy CM asked him not to speak about it.

Bhujbal, who belongs to the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the NCP, also said he is not opposed to Marathas getting the reservation but is against sharing the existing quota for the OBCs.

(With inputs from PTI)