Maratha quota row: Draft notification not final, OBC leaders can raise objections, says Chandrashekhar Bawankule

Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule

Maharashtra BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule, amid the flaring Maratha quota row, stated that the draft legislation awarding Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas is not final. Speaking to the media in Sangli on Tuesday, Bawankule highlighted that leaders from the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) are encouraged to convey their concerns and suggestions, PTI reported.

According to the report, the draft notification, prompted by Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil's campaign has left the OBC leaders, including state minister Chhagan Bhujbal, perturbed. Bhujhbal, according to the report, had stated that the draft notification makes way for the inclusion of Marathas in the OBC category by the backdoor.

In Photos: Protests erupt in Libya after Foreign Minister`s informal meeting with Israeli counterpart

1 year agoPHOTO GALLERY

"The state government has sought suggestions and objections on the draft notification regarding 'sage soyare' (blood relatives), so this notification is not final. If the OBC leaders and others feel there would be injustice, they can convey their objections, and the final decision will be made after hearing the objections and suggestions," Bawankule said on the Maratha quota row, per PTI report.

"Those who have received the Kunbi certificate will be entitled to reservation in the OBC category. The state government is also working on separate reservations for those Marathas who do not have Kunbi certificates," the leader added.

According to the draft regulation, if a Maratha individual can demonstrate their Kunbi caste affiliation, their blood relatives will also be recognised as Kunbi. According to Bawankule, the state administration is still committed to granting reservations to the Maratha community, with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde taking suitable measures.

Last week, Manoj Jarange Patil marched towards Mumbai with scores of supporters seeking Maratha quota and had camped in Navi Mumbai's Vashi till his demands were met late Friday night. He warned the government that his agitation would continue until his demands were met. Once the government committee presented the draft notification, he withdrew his protest and ended his indefinite fast.

Meanwhile, Jarange, in his rebuttal to Bhujbal claimed that the latter has done nothing for the OBC community and they will not feel bad if he were to step down from his post, stated PTI report.

With PTI inputs