Maharashtra Minister from the Ajit Pawar camp of the Nationalist Congress Occasion (NCP), and distinguished Different Backward Class (OBC) chief Chhagan Bhujbal sparked controversy together with his feedback on the Maratha reservation subject, and in opposition to pro-quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil, drawing criticism from varied quarters. Mr. Bhujbal claims he has nothing in opposition to reservation for the Marathas, however they need to not eat into the OBC share of the pie and will get a separate quota as an alternative.
Chatting with The Hindu, the 76-year-old NCP chief, who was as soon as thought-about a detailed aide of NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, says he gained’t heed anybody’s recommendation as he believes he’s heading in the right direction, and addresses Mr. Jarange Patil as ‘immature, illiterate, and arrogant’ for threatening the federal government.
The Chief Minister (Eknath Shinde) in addition to the Deputy Chief Minister (Ajit Pawar) belong to the Maratha neighborhood. Do you are feeling any stress out of your social gathering or the federal government to take ahead your agitation?
I don’t really feel stress from the social gathering or any people. I’ve at all times spoken about what I consider is true, and I’m not below any stress from the social gathering or the federal government to change my stance on particular points. Because the senior-most Minister within the present authorities and one of the skilled politicians within the State, I don’t really feel the necessity to appease anybody. I’m dedicated to the trigger (OBC rights) I’ve been advocating for the previous 35 years, even to the extent of leaving Balasaheb Thackeray. Consider me, these had been essentially the most difficult days after leaving Shiv Sena. I’m able to resign as a Minister and MLA and can struggle for this trigger till my final breath.
Has Ajit Pawar instructed you to tone down?
No, he hasn’t. However to reiterate, I gained’t heed anybody’s recommendation as a result of I consider I’m heading in the right direction. My solely request is to guard the OBC reservation, and I don’t have any further calls for.
Relating to the difficulty of Mr. Shinde assembly pro-Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil and convincing him, do you belief the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister?
I don’t need to touch upon this matter since he (Mr. Shinde) is the Chief Minister. I’m not conscious of his intentions. So, it’s a query for them, not for me. However, when he (Mr. Jarange Patil) demanded that CM, DCMs and others from the present dispensation ought to meet him, Mr. Ajit Pawar was in opposition to it. One can not drive the federal government to adjust to their calls for, and it reveals conceitedness to set deadlines for the federal government when the State is already addressing the difficulty. This isn’t Banana Republic, and threats shouldn’t be made to the federal government.
How do you view an activist setting a deadline for a authorities on a serious subject?
What nonsense. It’s pure conceitedness. The federal government shouldn’t yield to such threats; in spite of everything, it’s a authorities. Concurrently, the federal government ought to empower the police division and never demoralise them. If the police take motion to keep up peace and order, we must always stand firmly behind them. I’m not in opposition to protests; people might or might not obtain their targets by way of protests, however they shouldn’t threaten the federal government, particularly when it’s already addressing the Maratha reservation subject. The inter-state border dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka has been ongoing for a number of many years with out decision.
You talked about that the federal government shouldn’t bow right down to any stress. Do you suppose the Shinde authorities is afraid of the Maratha neighborhood?
That I don’t know. I’m a part of the federal government, at the least I’m not. Mr. Ajit Pawar, No. We’re not in opposition to reservation for Marathas, and Mr. Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis (DCM), Mr. Ajit Pawar and even Chhagan Bhujbal will not be opposing it. We’re making efforts, and my clear demand is that the federal government shouldn’t allocate the Maratha reservation from OBC however from another neighborhood’s share. I’m the primary to assist it.
Do you suppose the federal government provides extra significance to Mr. Jarange Patil, as not simply Ministers however even the Chief Minister went to persuade him?
I don’t need to touch upon my boss, but when I had been in his place, I wouldn’t have gone. Mr. Jarange Patil lacks maturity, is illiterate, smug, and doesn’t know methods to behave. Police officers, together with girls, had been attacked on the protest web site.
So, you maintain Mr. Jarange Patil chargeable for the regulation and order state of affairs within the State?
Actually. The police had been there to guard him and his supporters, to not assault them. Over 70 police personnel sustained accidents, and but he dares to demand circumstances to not be registered in opposition to them. Later, they burnt down the whole Beed district, and lives may have been misplaced.
Who do you suppose is politically backing Mr. Jarange Patil?
I don’t know. However I’ve a query: Mr. Jarange Patil restricted politicians from coming into the villages, so how did Rohit Pawar (MLA and grandnephew of NCP supremo Sharad Pawar) enter Ghansawangi (in Jalna district) as a part of his padayatra?
Are you alleging that the NCP faction led by Mr. Sharad Pawar backing Mr. Jarange Patil?
I’m simply explaining an incident. Mr. Rohit Pawar held a public assembly, and individuals who questioned him had been attacked and ended up within the hospital. Is it a selective ban? They torched NCP MLA Sandeep Kshirsagar’s home, car and workplace, and his household had a miraculous escape and he (Mr. Rohit Pawar) took him to Mr. Jarange Patil to fall on his toes. What does it point out? You draw your inference.
Is it true that you’re advocating for OBCs on behalf of the BJP, contemplating many BJP leaders might not categorical their views overtly?
I need to make clear that I’m talking for OBCs, not on behalf of the BJP. I’m not a puppet and won’t be swayed by any exterior affect. In each political social gathering, there are OBC leaders, and it’s their alternative whether or not they voice their opinion or not.
What, in your view, is the answer to the Maratha reservation subject?
The one answer is to formulate a strong invoice that may face up to authorized scrutiny, Whereas the Supreme Court docket has stated Marathas will not be socially backward, but when they’re financially and educationally disadvantaged, they’ll do it. He (Mr. Jarange Patil) might not grasp these nuances, and though discussing him could also be futile, he ought to chorus from issuing threats to the federal government. It’s not only a risk to the federal government however to the democracy.
Will this be the most important subject in the course of the upcoming winter session of the Maharashtra Legislative Meeting?
There are a number of points for dialogue, together with crop loss attributable to unseasonal rains, and this could possibly be one of many points. We’re open to participating in constructive discussions on a number of fronts.
What’s your stance on a caste census?
I’m wholeheartedly supportive of a caste census, a requirement I’ve been echoing for many years. When Bihar and different States can do it, why can’t Maharashtra? Not simply our NCP, however even leaders in BJP, Mr. Sharad Pawar, and a number of other others have additionally advocated for the caste census. Nobody is stopping the State authorities.
Provided that reservation is a contentious subject now, do you foresee the 2024 Lok Sabha polls revolving round caste and reservation?
I can’t predict the dynamics at this level. The depth of the reservation subject may subside or evolve by then.