Shortly after Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde met Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil and announced acceptance of all their demands, his own minister from NCP (Ajit Pawar), Chhagan Bhujbal has termed the decision “illegal and unfair” on OBCs.
Bhujbal, the Minister of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection in Shinde Cabinet, said that the while the state government has succumbed to the pressure from Maratha community, they will raise strong voice against the injustice on OBC community.
“Bowing to pressure from the Maratha community, the government today announced some illegal and unfair decisions on OBCs. Even if the government succumbs to the pressure, we will not remain silent. We will raise our voice strongly against this injustice on OBC community. Soon the direction of the next struggle of OBCs will be decided!,” Bhujbal said.
His remarks against his own government came after CM Shinde met Patil in Navi Mumbai and announced all his demands have been accepted.
“The agitation held peacefully, for which I congratulate all of you. I am also a son of a farmer. I know their problems and sufferings, and thus took an oath of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.” said Shinde.
He has been demanding reservation in education and jobs for the Maratha community under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.
Few of his key demands included Kunbi certificates for all Marathas, free education from nursery to postgraduate level, and reservation of seats for the community in government jobs.