Maharashtra Minister Asks Oppn to Clear Stance on Maratha Quota, Urges Activist Jarange Patil Not to Target Fadnavis

Maharashtra industries minister Uday Samant reaffirmed the Mahayuti government’s positive stance on the Maratha reservation movement on Wednesday, while he criticised the ambiguity surrounding those who have not clarified their positions on the issue or supported the reservations.

In a press conference, Samant urged activist Manoj Jarange Patil to question those who failed to attend the all-party meeting convened by the state government. While expressing hope that Patil’s intentions are aimed at the betterment of society, he advised against making prejudiced comments.

Samant acknowledged the significance of Patil’s agitation, noting that many in the Maratha community have obtained certificates and records as a result. He highlighted the government’s proactive response, which included an extensive survey of the Maratha community. Conducted in just 12 days at a cost of Rs 337 crore, the survey covered 1.58 crore households, a feat he described as unprecedented. Based on the survey’s findings, the state government announced a reservation plan.

Samant assured that the government would not discriminate against any Maratha or OBC person when granting reservations. He mentioned that chief minister Eknath Shinde had earlier urged his predecessor Uddhav Thackeray to fill surplus posts but no decision was made.

He also addressed the need for Patil to avoid misunderstandings regarding deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, emphasising the BJP leader’s support for the Maratha reservation. Samant criticised the notion that Fadnavis is adopting a negative stance and challenged opposition parties to clarify their position within two days on whether they support granting Marathas reservations from the OBC quota.

Recalling past efforts, Samant noted that the then chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’s government granted reservation to the Maratha community, which was later challenged in court. The high court upheld the quota plan, which lasted from 2017 to 2020. However, during the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, he said, the case was not adequately represented in court and was not pursued in the Supreme Court, leading to the cancellation of the reservation. Samant also pointed out that the Backward Classes Commission was not funded by the then Maha Vikas Aghadi government.