Chatrapati Simbhaji Nagar (Maharashtra): Sharpening attack on the BJP, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil said those seeking Hindu unity have ignored the concerns of Marathas and denied them reservation as he claimed the ‘Mahayuti’ government will suffer a drubbing in the Maharashtra assembly polls.
He alleged that the interests of every section of society were harmed under the present government and asserted that Marathas would show their might in the polls.
In an interview to PTI, the 42-year-old activist, who has rallied a large section of Marathas in support of his demand for OBC quota for them, alleged that those who claim to work for Hindu unity have used his community to target Muslims but ignored its genuine demands.
“If you claim Hindus are in danger, then what about Marathas? Can’t you see their children’s troubles? If you say Hindus are in trouble, then it is also your responsibility to ensure the welfare of Marathas.
“A Hindu opposes us when we demand reservation, but when they have to target Muslims, they need Marathas to run after them with sticks,” he said.
He was reacting to the BJP’s slogans such as “batenge to katenge” and “ek hain to safe hain”.
“Who will cut Hindus,” Patil asked, noting that Marathas are the biggest Hindu caste in the state. “We will settle our issues among ourselves. We follow the Hindutva of Chhatrapati (Shivaji). We will look after ourselves, you mind your own business,” he added.
In his statements ahead of the November 20 assembly polls, Patil has refrained from directly naming any party but the common belief among his supporters is that he is against the incumbent, especially the BJP.
In his comments, he gave clear indications of his view.
“The Maratha community understands very well whom to defeat. They understood it during the Lok Sabha polls, and they have understood it now. There is no confusion,” he said.
“Those who have been against reservation, Marathas will defeat them 100 per cent. They will not be spared,” he said, accusing the state government of denying the community quota.
The BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP alliance had suffered a big defeat in the state during the Lok Sabha polls, as the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi of the Congress-Shiv Sena (UBT)-NCP(SP) won 30 of its 48 seats against the ruling bloc’s 17.
Asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pitch to voters to re-elect the ruling alliance for development in Maharashtra, he said sarcastically that every section of society is so happy that Modi should dub the ruling dispensation “triple-engine” and not double-engine” government.
After all every field is irrigated and no farmer has debt, he said wryly.
Farmers need better rates for their crops and want to be free of debt but this government denies them their due, he alleged.
“Marathas want a reservation for a better future for their children, Dhangars want reservation, there are micro-OBC communities who also want reservation for a better future for their children.
“Those who have been against reservation, Marathas will defeat them 100 per cent. They will not be spared,” he said, accusing the state government of denying the community quota.
The BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP alliance had suffered a big defeat in the state during the Lok Sabha polls, as the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi of the Congress-Shiv Sena (UBT)-NCP(SP) won 30 of its 48 seats against the ruling bloc’s 17.
Asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pitch to voters to re-elect the ruling alliance for development in Maharashtra, he said sarcastically that every section of society is so happy that Modi should dub the ruling dispensation “triple-engine” and not double-engine” government.
After all every field is irrigated and no farmer has debt, he said wryly.
Farmers need better rates for their crops and want to be free of debt but this government denies them their due, he alleged.
“Marathas want a reservation for a better future for their children, Dhangars want a reservation, there are micro-OBC communities who also want a reservation for a better future for their children.
He asserted that no alliance can come to power without support from Marathas, who form around 28 per cent of the state’s population.
Patil also accused BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of harming the interests of Marathas, claiming he is running the affairs of the government and not Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
“In the government, everything is in the hands of Fadnavis and not others. He takes the decisions. He is the one who formed the government by breaking parties and getting necessary numbers,” he said.
Asked about Modi’s appeal for the return of the ‘Mahayuti’ government, Patil took a swipe at the current dispensation while raising the issue of farmers allegedly not getting adequate prices for their produce.
He said wryly, “Cotton is being bought at Rs 15,000 a quintal, wheat is being sold at Rs 26,000 a quintal, Soybean is getting Rs 36,000, onions are also getting a good rate. The farmers are very happy. Every field is irrigated, so much so that water is flowing across every bund.” He continued, “All farmers are moving around wearing ironed clothes and sunglasses. Nobody will blame him (Modi), he is a very noble man.” On why he withdrew his decision to field candidates in the polls, he said he wanted to focus on reservation for Marathas and not politics, and rejected the allegation that he did so under the MVA’s influence to rule out a split in the community’s votes.
“What is the big deal? We are social activists, new to politics. We could not get the equations right. We did not have the experience. I decided to keep away from politics to ensure there is no division in the community for my political benefit.
