Maharashtra minister and NCP chief Chhagan Bhujbal has created a flutter within the political circuit after his remarks on the Maratha reservation demand obtained criticism. Bhujbal, an OBC chief within the NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar, mentioned final week that the prevailing quota for the OBCs shouldn’t be curtailed whereas giving reservation to the Marathas.
His remarks weren’t obtained kindly by Manoj Jarange-Patil, the activist on the centre of the Maratha reservation demand. On Thursday, with out naming Bhujbal, Patil demanded the NCP and Ajit Pawar to reprimand the OBC chief.
Amid controversy, Chhagan Bhujbal mentioned he is able to resign if his feedback are posing an issue earlier than the federal government. In an unique interview with India At the moment and Mumbai Tak Managing Editor Sahil Joshi, Bhujbal mentioned similar to in Bihar, a caste survey should be held “at any cost” in Maharashtra
Excerpts from the interview:
Q. When the Chief Minister and lots of different ministers went to persuade Manoj Jarange-Patil to surrender his quick, why did you resolve to tackle the activist and the Maratha agitation? Particularly when it’s going in opposition to your individual Mahayuti authorities.
I left Shiv Sena and took on Balasaheb Thackeray due to my help to the Mandal Fee. I’ve been supporting the (selections of) the Mandal Fee for the previous 35 years. I’ve nothing in opposition to giving reservation to the Maratha neighborhood. I solely mentioned don’t contact OBC reservation. Give the Maratha neighborhood a separate reservation.
Each social gathering, each chief mentioned what I’ve mentioned, together with Sharad Pawar, the Congress, (Eknath) Shinde, (Devendra) Fadnavis. All are saying the identical factor. However Jarange and his constituents began concentrating on me for no cause and utilizing abusive language.
I used to be calm. However then they began attacking, torching the properties of our MLAs in a pre-planned means. Am I supposed to maintain quiet? Are these the individuals who think about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as their idol? Shivaji Maharaj didn’t train about behaving like this and troubling different communities.
Nobody is taking them on. Even the police are silent as a result of they’d confronted motion after the lathicharge on the violent Maratha crowd in Antarwali-Sarati village in October. This can not go on like this so I made a decision to lift my voice and communicate up.
Q. However is not it the state authorities’s failure for not with the ability to preserve legislation and order scenario within the state? You’re within the authorities. You possibly can elevate these points in a Cupboard assembly.
I did in any respect boards, even within the all-party assembly. I mentioned that this violence must be handled with agency motion. Even this could have been dropped at the sunshine that police lathicharged on the mob in Antarwali-Sarati in October solely after Jarange’s supporters attacked ladies constables there.
I don’t know why no one spoke in favour of the police. When the MLAs’ properties had been vandalised in Beed, senior leaders ought to have visited them however no one did. You need to ask them. So I made a decision to talk as a result of I could not maintain myself again. Many MLAs, even Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis, obtained such abusive messages and somebody needed to communicate in opposition to this terror.
Q. Is the federal government petrified of the Maratha neighborhood?
I do not know. However nobody is stopping unlawful acts. They (Maratha protesters) are holding rallies until 2 am whereas if somebody extends past the ten pm deadline, circumstances are registered in opposition to the organisers. I enchantment to the federal government, together with the judges who go there — to have a wider view. Make sure that whereas giving reservation to the Maratha neighborhood, OBCs shouldn’t be wronged.
Do folks of this state approve of violence, banning village entry, and sending abusive messages? If not, why are they quiet?
Q. You mentioned in your speech that it was unsuitable on behalf of the federal government to ship ministers to fulfill Manoj Jarange-Patil. However the Chief Minister himself went to fulfill the activist.
Neither of the Deputy CMs (Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar) go. I do not know why others went as a result of in the end, my boss is the Chief Minister. The CM had requested me initially if I’ve any points in extending Kunbi certificates (to Marathas) if proof was discovered within the Marathwada area. I supported it. However then inside two days, the quantity introduced in entrance of the Cupboard elevated to 11,000 and later to 13,500 from the preliminary determine of 5,000 information. How is it doable? There’s some mischief.
Later the scope (of reservation) was prolonged to all the Maharashtra. There are examples the place entries are made by pen. If this continues, the OBC reservation will probably be broken for positive and the Maratha neighborhood will eat into the OBC quota
Q. You’re a minister. Don’t you belief your Chief Minister and your individual authorities? The Chief Minister has mentioned that he’ll give reservation to the Maratha neighborhood with out touching the OBC reservation. Are you asking OBCs to present it again if attacked?
I do. However there must be somebody within the authorities who will talk about what’s occurring to the OBCs. We held the assembly in Jalna for a similar. If I don’t communicate, there will probably be nobody to guard our reservation which we’ve fought for. Why am I being criticised for utilizing provocative language?
I’ve been in public life for over 50 years and am at the moment a minister. I’d by no means disturb peace in Maharashtra. However should not I inform my those that they need to defend themselves when a mob is attacking homes, indulging in violence? Why is it that no political chief, social mental or perhaps a media editor is coming ahead and saying that the violence in Beed was unsuitable? Is it solely due to the Maratha votes? Then it’s time to inform them that even OBCs have 54 per cent votes.
Q. There’s dialogue round that you’re talking for OBCs on behalf of the BJP as many can not communicate brazenly. So you’re taking it on your self to do this?
No one has ever dictated to me. I’ve labored with Balasaheb Thackeray and Sharad Pawar. They by no means instructed me what I ought to talk about. My script just isn’t written by the BJP. It’s from Chhatrapati (Shivaji Maharaj), Shahu, (Jyotirao) Phule and (BR) Ambedkar. I’ll proceed to struggle for OBCs, backward communities and even Marathas.
Q. Once more, however you’re a minister and but you’re saying this. Is not it a double-speak as you’re a Cupboard Minister as nicely?
I’m able to resign. I’m able to stop as an MLA too. I obey the directives of my social gathering the place Ajit Pawar is supreme, the Chief Minister is my boss and the BJP is the most important social gathering within the Cupboard. In the event that they inform me that my feedback and place are creating issues, I’m able to resign. I work for OBCs and I cannot cease doing that.
Q. Has Ajit Pawar requested you to tone down?
Ajit dada has clarified that if Jarange-Patil is presenting his neighborhood’s stand, then Bhujbal is representing his neighborhood. He mentioned that everybody ought to current their aspect with out hurting others. Even at this time, I help the Maratha reservation. I’ll communicate solely after I or my neighborhood are being focused.
Q. What’s the resolution now?
A caste survey should be held at any value in Maharashtra. Let there be readability. We are going to settle for if we’re unsuitable about numbers. I’m prepared to fulfill Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this however do not know when can we meet.