The tussle between Maratha and other backward class (OBC) communities against the backdrop of the ongoing Maratha quota stir is causing strain between the ruling ‘Mahayuti’ parties, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday urging restraint upon his cabinet Ministers, particularly Chhagan Bhujbal of the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction, from making any controversial statement that could aggravate tensions between the two communities.
Despite this, Mr. Bhujbal continued to voice his vocal opposition to Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil’s demand that the Marathas be given Kunbi OBC certificates, while alleging that there was a plan afoot to push out the OBCs from their existing reservation benefits.
According to sources, Mr. Shinde, at Wednesday’s cabinet meeting, reportedly expressed displeasure over Mr. Bhujbal’s recent comments against Mr. Jarange Patil and the government’s promise of granting Marathas a quota by including them under the OBC Kunbi category.
