Mumbai, Aug 29 (PTI) – Maharashtra BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhye has leveled criticism at the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), accusing them of neglecting the Maratha community's demands during their tenure. Upadhye pointed fingers at the leaders of the MVA, including NCP (Sharad Pawar) president Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, and the Congress, for "inaction" on the Maratha quota issue.
This comes at a time when activist Manoj Jarange has launched an agitation in Mumbai, advocating for reservation for the Maratha community. Upadhye asserted that when they were in power, Pawar, Thackeray, and the Congress willfully ignored the aspirations of the Maratha community.
Even in the present scenario, with Manoj Jarange demanding a quota without disrupting the OBC reservation, all three leaders have chosen silence, Upadhye expressed on platform X.
Upadhye further highlighted past comments by Pawar, noting that Pawar once suggested that the quota issue should no longer be pursued. However, he alleged that Pawar has now adopted a "confusing and evasive stand." Additionally, Upadhye accused the Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' of mocking the community's peaceful marches by referring to them as "muka morcha." He also claimed that the Congress has historically viewed the Marathas merely as a vote bank.
“The BJP has a firm stance that Marathas should receive reservation without affecting the OBC (Other Backward Class) quota, and legal preparations are underway in that direction.” Upadhye called upon the Maratha community to demand clarity from Pawar, Thackeray, and the Congress, rather than accepting what he termed doublespeak.
Upadhye recounted efforts by the BJP-led government under former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who granted a 10 percent reservation for Marathas, a decision later overturned by the Supreme Court.
He outlined various steps taken by the earlier Mahayuti government, such as extending the Shinde committee’s term by six months, providing jobs to the families of Maratha protesters who lost their lives, and disbursing Rs 8,320 crore through the Annasaheb Patil Finance Corporation to support nearly one lakh Maratha entrepreneurs.
A total of Rs 9,262 crore has been allocated under the Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj fee reimbursement scheme, benefiting approximately 17.54 lakh students.
“The Fadnavis administration consistently demonstrated sensitivity towards the Maratha community, implementing tangible welfare measures. In contrast, Pawar, Thackeray, and the Congress appear to lack a clear position, accountability, and have failed to deliver social justice in Maharashtra," Upadhye stated, urging the populace to reject their politics outright.
Jarange has been advocating for a 10 percent reservation for Marathas under the OBC category and is pushing for all Marathas to be classified as Kunbis, an agrarian caste under the OBC category, thereby qualifying them for reservations in government jobs and education.
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