Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil has confirmed that his group will field candidates in select constituencies for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. Addressing a rally in Jalna’s Antarwali Sarti, he said the candidate list will be revealed on the last day of nominations, October 29, 2024. Jarange emphasized that only constituencies with a strong Maratha presence will see candidates from his group, primarily to support the Maratha reservation demand under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.
In areas where the Maratha community’s chances are slim, Jarange’s group will support candidates from other parties, provided they sign a written pledge supporting the quota movement. This move is aimed at securing backing for the community’s long-standing demand for OBC reservation.
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Jarange has consistently pushed for the classification of Marathas as Kunbis, an agrarian class eligible for OBC benefits, citing historical records from various gazettes. His movement has gained significant momentum, with multiple rallies and protests demanding that the government act swiftly on this issue. He accused Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of undermining the Maratha cause and called for the community to unite and rally behind their leaders.
“We are not entering politics for personal gain. Our sole focus is ensuring Maratha reservation, and we will continue this fight even after the elections,” Jarange said, reaffirming his stance to his supporters.
The Maharashtra Assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, 2024, with results to be declared on November 23.
(Inputs – Sumit Singh, A freelancer reporter at C6N)
