Where we can win, will announce a candidate, says Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil ahead of Maharashtra Assembly elections
Oct 20, 2024
Jalna (Maharashtra) [India], October 20 : Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil announced on Sunday that for the Maharashtra Assembly elections, candidates would be announced in certain constituencies by his outfit Maratha Kranti Morcha, while any other candidate who is willing to support their demands in writing would be supported by the community.
"I think ..seats where we can win elections we will give candidate. Seats where SC-ST candidates are contesting irrespective of the party we will not give candidate on that seat, we should support them. Where we can't win... there we will support the candidate who can give in writing on bond paper that he supports our demands, we will support that candidate," he said during his speech at Antarvali village in Jalna district.
He further reiterated that no matter the decision of the party, the agitation of their community would not end.
"Whatever decision we take (on supporting candidates) we will not let our agitation end. Irrespective of whatever happens in the election, I want a promise from you that you will not let our agitation end till our demands are met,"
He also said he personally does not prefer to go into politics but values the inputs from his community.
"I just took the responses from people gathered here, personally I don't want to go in the election...I don't want to go in the politics, but I am not the final decision maker, my community is important here...I am not bigger than my community. My only say is that if there is two views over this issues whether we should go in the election or should take a stand to topple the candidate (who does not support), there shouldn't be divide in our community over this issues," he added.
The Maratha reservation has been a longstanding demand of Manoj Jarange and his supporters. Over the years, many rallies, peace marches and hunger fasts have been held by Jarange, urging the government to fulfill their demands of classifying Marathas as Kunbis and include them in the OBC category.
On February 20, the Maharashtra Assembly unanimously passed the Maratha quota bill, granting 10 per cent reservation to the Marathas in government jobs and educational institutions. Similar acts in the past had been struck down by the Supreme Court as those acts had exceeded the 50 per cent reservation ceiling.
