MUMBAI: Maharashtra chief minister Ekanth Shinde strongly criticized NCP minister Chhagan Bhujbal's aggressive stance on the Maratha quota issue, vowing to oppose the state government if necessary to safeguard the interests of the OBC community.
CM Shinde made these remarks after unveiling an equestrian statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir.
The Maharashtra CM emphasized that Bhujbal should refrain from causing confusion within the OBC community. He reiterated the government's commitment to providing a lasting reservation for the Maratha community without adversely affecting the existing reservation for the OBC community, ensuring that no injustice would be done to the OBC community.
During the statue unveiling ceremony, Shinde underscored the inspirational significance of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and how it would motivate and invigorate the soldiers to defend the nation. He expressed the belief that this statue would have a resounding impact even across the border in Pakistan.
Bhujbal has called for a caste-based census in Maharashtra to ascertain the population distribution among different communities. He also stated that while there is a willingness to consider Marathas with historical records dating back to the Nizam era as part of the Kunbi community, it would be unreasonable to include all Marathas within the OBC category.
Bhujbal firmly opposed any covert attempts to include Marathas in the OBC category, vowing to protect the OBC reservation from encroachment by any other community. He affirmed his readiness to oppose his own government if necessary to uphold this stance.
