Jalna, Maharashtra: Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil has said that the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government duped his community and he will be preparing to field candidates from the community in the assembly elections later this year.
In an exclusive interview with ThePrint, Jarange-Patil also threatened a bigger protest if the demand to grant Marathas with Kunbi caste certificates under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category is not met by 6 June.
“I don’t trust the government, but as a protester, there is no other option but to trust them. We thought they would take suggestions on the notification they took out regarding ‘sage soyare’ in 15-20 days but this is where we got fooled. They did not do it and by the time the Model Code of Conduct kicked in,” said Jarange-Patil.
“Now, we have given the government time till 6 June to finalise the issue related to ‘sage soyare’, if not, we will protest with crores of Marathas at Narayangad on 8 June,” he added.
In February, the Maharashtra government during a special assembly session approved a Bill to extend 10 percent reservation to the Marathas, based on a report submitted by the Maharashtra Backward Class Commission (MBCC). However, Jarange-Patil opposed the reservation and insisted on a quota for the Marathas under the OBC category.
“If the CM says that the Maratha community is backward and eligible for a 10 percent reservation, then why not do it under OBC category? When I asked him (CM), he said it was not possible because then other states would also demand the same. So that’s why I don’t agree to it,” he told ThePrint.
While Jarange-Patil has refrained from contesting the Lok Sabha elections due to inadequate preparation, he is actively gearing up for the assembly elections.
“It would be a disservice to the community to field unprepared candidates who fail to secure the necessary votes. Although we’re not participating in this election (Lok Sabha), our unity gives us the power to defeat any opposition, which is a victory in itself. The Maratha community is now fully united,” he affirmed.
Also Read: ‘Saw no need to field Independents’: Maratha activist Jarange-Patil does a U-turn, to sit out LS polls
Marathas consolidated
Historically, the Maratha community has been divided when it comes to voting. But Jarange-Patil believes that because of his agitation, the community is now consolidated. “Earlier, my community was fragmented and faced injustice, but now nobody has the courage to divide us,” he said.
“In fact, political parties fear us,” asserted the Maratha leader, claiming that because the Maratha community is now consolidated, nobody knows who its votes will go to — the ruling Mahayuti alliance, which includes the Shiv Sena led by Shinde, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction); or the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, including the Shiv Sena (UBT), the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) under Sharad Pawar and the Congress.
“And so they are fearful,” Jarange-Patil added.
However, despite this consolidation, Jarange-Patil has decided not to endorse any candidates or parties in the forthcoming parliamentary elections.
Prakash Ambedkar of Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi (VBA), and grandson of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, even sought Jarange-Patil’s support for the Lok Sabha elections, but the Maratha leader declined.
“Ambedkar wanted us to come together. He said that if Marathas, Dalits and Muslims come together, then victory will be ours. We (Marathas) have a solid support base in at least 17-18 seats, but I could not deceive him. When we were not prepared, how could I have said yes,” Jarange-Patil told ThePrint.
“You cannot fight politics on emotions. Social activism can be done on emotions but not politics. Politics needs a majority,” the leader said, adding, “These are two sides of the coin but different. In protests, emotions come into play but not in politics. If there is a majority, only then can you win.”
‘No trust in government’
Speaking to ThePrint, the Maratha leader expressed a deep mistrust in the political leaders from both communities, accusing them of attempting to sow division between OBCs and Marathas. He claimed the government initiated a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe against him “because of his non-compliance”.
“They gave a 10 percent reservation, but I want the reservation under the OBC category because a separate reservation would not stand in a court of law,” said Jarange-Patil, referring to a Supreme Court verdict which had struck down a separate reservation for Marathas in 2021.
“When I did not listen to the government, they initiated an SIT probe, but I am not scared, they cannot do anything as the entire community is standing strongly behind me,” he claimed.
On Thursday, the Maratha leader visited Karnataka, where he addressed the Marathas. According to him, the rally was successful.
He told ThePrint that people from several states were visiting him seeking help with the reservation cause in their respective states.
After the Lok Sabha elections, Jarange-Patil vows relentless pursuit of OBC reservation.
“After the elections, there is no escaping. I will be behind your (government) back after the elections. I will not leave the government without taking a reservation under OBC. I am firm on this,” he said.
He added: “If it means I will have to take this protest to a national level, I am prepared to do so.”
Citing a growing demand for reservation across multiple states — including Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Bihar — the Maratha leader said that the people of these states came to meet him in Mumbai in January.
“People from around 14 states are asking me to pick up their reservation issue. If these people (government) did not give us quota in the state, I will consolidate people across the country — 100 percent I will pick up this reservation issue across the country and will not rest until I get it,” he declared.
“If I have to fight the Centre, I will protest on the national level. And in the state, around six crore Marathas are ready,” Jarange-Patil told ThePrint.
(Edited by Richa Mishra)