Mumbai, Nov 23 (IANS) Pro-Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange-Patil despite his repeated calls to his supporters to vote against BJP, failed to create magic, especially in 46 Assembly seats of Marathwada.
The MahaYuti comprising BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP, which had received a major setback due to the protests over Maratha and OBC reservations during the Lok Sabha elections, got a major boost in Marathwada as it is leading in a record 36 of the total 46 seats. Jarange-Patil factor has miserably failed to woo pro-Maratha quota voters to mobilise against BJP and MahaYuti in particular.
The Maha Vikas Aghadi was hopeful to cash in on the MDM factor (Muslim Dalit Maratha) to outsmart the MahaYuti and BJP in particular in Marathwada. However, it failed to get positive results.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde reiterated in the poll rallies that the MahaYuti government has already provided 10 per cent reservation to the Maratha community and will give quota from the OBC reservation after being voted to power. The Maratha community seems to have rallied behind the MahaYuti instead of Maha Vikas Aghadi which went on to make a strong case for increasing the present 50 per cent quota limit to provide reservations to Maratha, Dhangar and other communities that will pass the test of law.
On the other hand, the BJP played its card in a calculated manner. In a serious bid to counter Jarange-Patil’s anti-BJP and anti-Fadnavis stand, the party made a series of efforts to consolidate its position in OBC and its various subcastes. This was also to make up for the loss in votes from the Maratha community.
The state BJP in charge of the Assembly election and Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav took personal efforts to organise meetings with members belonging to OBC sub-castes on the lines of the Haryana experiment. BJP implemented its Mali, Dhangar and Vanjari formula with a difference to checkmate Jarange-Patil’s pro-Maratha rhetoric.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah held several meetings in Marathwada and the rest of Maharashtra projecting Congress party anti-SC, ST, OBC and tribals. They argued that the BJP-led government at the Centre and the MahaYuti government in the state took various initiatives for the empowerment of the downtrodden and their progress. The Prime Minister and Home Minister also accused Congress and the INDIA block of playing divisive politics urging the voters not to succumb to its design.
As far as Jarange-Patil is concerned, his switch-on-off moves did not suit his supporters, especially the Maratha community. He had announced to field a few pro-Maratha quota supporters in the electoral fray but later withdrew from his decision. His turnaround further confused his supporters. Thereafter, his call to support Muslim, Dalit and Maratha candidates in a few seats did not work which ultimately benefited the MahaYuti.
Although MahaYuti has improved its performance after a dismal show in the Lok Sabha elections in Marathwada, it will have to strive to ensure the Maratha quota stands legal scrutiny. Besides, the government while providing reservations to the Maratha community from the OBC quota will have to pacify the OBC leaders and NCP veteran Chhagan Bhujbal who is against such a move. It will have to strike a delicate balance on the issue while charting its path in the future.
(Sanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjay.j@ians.in)
–IANS
sj/dpb
Disclaimer
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by TodayIndia.news and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of TodayIndia.news We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, TodayIndia.news takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.
For any legal details or query please visit original source link given with news or click on Go to Source.
Our translation service aims to offer the most accurate translation possible and we rarely experience any issues with news post. However, as the translation is carried out by third part tool there is a possibility for error to cause the occasional inaccuracy. We therefore require you to accept this disclaimer before confirming any translation news with us.
If you are not willing to accept this disclaimer then we recommend reading news post in its original language.
