Why do you hold a ‘grudge’ against OBC community: Chhagan Bhujbal to Sharad Pawar
On Sunday, veteran OBC leader and NCP minister Chhagan Bhujbal questioned NCP (SP) Chief Sharad Pawar about his apparent bias against the OBC community, criticizing his failure to address the reservation issue.
“Sharad Pawar is working with an intention to set Maharashtra on fire by giving some advice to the opposition parties instead of finding a way out on the politically sensitive reservation issue amid ongoing protests by Maratha and OBC communities. Why is Sharad Pawar holding a grudge against the OBC community,” said Bhujbal.
Bhujbal also heads the ‘Samata Parishad’, an organization working to safeguard the interests of OBCs.
Chhagan Bhujbal’s criticism of Sharad Pawar followed Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and members of MahaYuti launching a strong critique against the Maha Vikas Aghadi. They accused the coalition of engaging in “doublespeak” and playing politics on the reservation issue to gain political advantage ahead of the Assembly elections.
Last week, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde convened an all-party meeting to address the reservation concerns raised by the Maratha and OBC communities. The opposition, including NCP SP, boycotted the meeting.
“The opposition boycotted the all-party meeting following a call by Baramati (Sharad Pawar) a few minutes before the meeting. I had appealed to Sharad Pawar and to his party’s legislator Jitendra Awhad to attend the meeting. However, the opposition chose not to attend the meeting,” said Bhujbal while addressing his party’s Jansanman Rally in the presence of NCP National President and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
“Now, when any issues arise related to reservation, Sharad Pawar as a senior leader is expected to come to that meeting and express his views. But someone called from Baramati and the opposition boycotted the meeting,” he claimed.
Interestingly, Bhujbal has been at the forefront of taking on the pro-Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil and is opposing his demands for implementation of the draft ‘sage-soyare’ (those related by birth or marriage) notification.
“Malis, Marathas, and Dhangars have voted for both Sunetra Pawar and Supriya Sule in the general elections. ‘But why you (Sharad Pawar) don’t tell everyone what your stand is on the Maratha-OBC reservations?” Bhujbal said.
He also appealed to the leaders of other parties to come together on social issues and address them through discussion.
Eknath Shinde stated that the government has already granted 10% reservation to the Maratha community and assured that this would not unfairly disadvantage other social groups, including the OBC community. Both Deputy Chief Ministers echoed this commitment, affirming that OBC interests would not be compromised in favor of Maratha reservations.
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