Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Sep 22 (PTI) Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Tuesday alleged that Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde earlier held a meeting of his party ministers and directed them not to cooperate with him over the reservation issue.
He also warned of taking a “revenge” against the ruling parties, saying the Maratha community would ensure the defeat of incumbent ministers, MPs and MLAs in the 2029 general elections.
On September 17, Jarange called off his 20-day-old fast, and warned the Maharashtra government that he would take the protest to Mumbai if his demands over Maratha reservation were not considered in three months. He has been demanding reservation under the OBC category for the Marathas with the Kunbi caste genealogy.
Interacting with media representatives in a hospital at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where he is currently undergoing treatment, Jarange said, ”The cabinet is meant for taking policy decisions but Eknath Shinde held a cabinet meeting earlier against me where he asked the ministers not to meet us. He called for issuing notices against us and not to cooperate with us. Is the cabinet starting a movement against us? If that is so, we will see how they become MPs and MLAs later.”
”They are taking action now. But we will take revenge in 2029,” he added.
Jarange said he himself and other members of the Maratha community were not scared of any Income Tax inquiries, and added that he would not give up the demand for reservation.
“Let inquiries be conducted. Nobody is scared…We will never give up the quota issue. They think we should act as per their directions or else they will put us behind bars. We are ready to go to jail. The Maratha community cannot be fooled,” the activist said.
He alleged that inquiries were being initiated against the Maratha community members who supported the quota agitation.
”If they wanted to conduct an inquiry, they should have done it three years ago. Shouldn’t the rich Marathas stand with the poor sections of the community? But we are the ones who have given power to them (politicians). MPs, MLAs and ministers of Shinde should help us. Instead they are setting inquiries against us.
“Time will change. Now they want to initiate inquiries against members of the Maratha community who are helping the quota agitation. Let them do it, but remember that 2029 (election) is not far,” he added.
Jarange also alleged that those whom the Maratha community brought to power were now conducting inquiries against people supporting the agitation.
Referring to the 2029 elections, Jarange appealed to Maratha community members to stay united.
”One day they will also lose power. Those who have not done anything will not have to fear (inquiries). Those who are levelling allegations against me, I will not bow before them. Politicians from the Maratha community are merely three per cent, while the majority of members are poor,” he said.
The Maratha community members should remember that these politicians are conducting inquiries, the activist said,
“But 2029 is not far. That day, the poor from the Maratha community should remain united. They should keep these things in their mind and vote accordingly,” he said.
Jarange also appealed to experts in reading the Modi script to come forward and assist in the search for Kunbi records.
”The names of these experts will be given to the state government and they will be given powers to go and find the Kunbi records. There is no need to question the records found by the Justice Shinde committee. But they face a manpower shortage. So these experts can help in finding the records,” he said.
(PTI News)
