Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the resignation of senior OBC leader and state cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal has not been accepted.
Speaking to reporters, Fadnavis said that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will be able to clarify on this.
Bhujbal, who belongs to the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the NCP, on Saturday said that he has resigned from the state Cabinet on November 16 last year and accused the Maharashtra government of facilitating “backdoor entry” of the Maratha community into the quota for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
He added that he did not disclose this for over two months because the CM and the deputy CM have asked him not to speak about it.
Fadnavis told reporters, “The chief minister will be able to clarify on this, but I can only say as of now that Bhujbal’s resignation has not been accepted by the chief minister or me.”
Bhujbal also clarified that he is not opposed to Marathas getting reservation, but is against sharing with the existing quota for OBCs.
He also alleged that the process of gathering data to determine the Maratha community’s backwardness through a survey by the state backward classes commission was flawed.
“I will work for the welfare of OBCs and their rights throughout my life. There is no need to demand my resignation or kick me out as some opposition leaders and those from my alliance are demanding. I quit on November 16 last year,” he said.
Manoj Jarange on Chhagan Bhujbal
Meanwhile, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Sunday said Bhujbal was trying to “damage” Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis with his statements about the Maratha reservation.
Speaking to reporters at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna, Jarange rubbished Bhujbal’s allegations that fake and overwritten records were being used to get the reservation for the Maratha community.
“He (Bhujbal) doesn’t understand anything. There is a law, a government, a committee and scholars working on this issue, but Bhujbal doubts his own government. He is trying to damage Fadnavis and Pawar,” he said.
“If he (Bhujbal) wants to resign, he should do it, but should not talk against Maratha reservation,” Jarange added.
(With PTI inputs)