Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar recently asserted that the Maharashtra government’s latest resolution concerning the Maratha quota has significantly jeopardized the interests of Other Backward Classes (OBCs). He further accused the government of deliberately fueling animosity between communities and escalating tensions throughout the state, especially within the Marathwada region.
Wadettiwar also took aim at Minister and senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal, accusing him of hypocrisy regarding the OBC quota issue and urging him to clarify his stance.
The controversy stems from a Government Resolution (GR) issued by the Devendra Fadnavis administration. This GR outlines the implementation of the Hyderabad gazetteer, enabling eligible members of the Maratha community to apply for Kunbi caste certificates. This decision has caused considerable unease among OBC community members, who fear that including Marathas in the OBC category will dilute their existing reservation benefits.
Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Mr. Wadettiwar emphasized that the Mahayuti government’s move has reignited the long-standing Maratha-OBC conflict in Marathwada. “Students are being removed from schools, and hatred is spreading between communities,” the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) chief stated. “This government lacks a vision for development; it merely thrives on caste politics and is pushing Maharashtra into a precarious situation.”
He demanded an immediate answer from the government: “Who will revoke this anti-OBC decision, and when?” The GR was originally issued in response to activist Manoj Jarange’s five-day hunger strike in Mumbai.
Wadettiwar further pressed senior Ministers and OBC sub-committee members like Chhagan Bhujbal and Pankaja Munde to articulate their official positions consistently with their public statements. He specifically criticized Mr. Bhujbal, suggesting that if he advises people against supporting those who backed Jarange Patil’s agitation, then the government, having issued the GR impacting OBC reservations, should itself be overthrown.
“On one hand, Bhujbal praises the Chief Minister, while on the other, he criticizes him. This is sheer hypocrisy,” Wadettiwar remarked. “If the government genuinely believes OBC reservations are unaffected, let them convene a meeting of all leaders. We are prepared to present irrefutable evidence of how OBC interests are being harmed.”
Additionally, Mr. Wadettiwar condemned BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar for his recent disparaging remarks made against senior NCP(SP) leader Jayant Patil and his parents. “Padalkar’s criticism amounted to abusing one’s parents. While political leaders can be criticized, dragging their parents into it is unacceptable. This precedent has never existed in Maharashtra’s politics. Under whose direction is Padalkar speaking? Who is truly backing him?” he questioned.