Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange announced his intention to march to Mumbai and protest outside the residence of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, whom he accused of trying to kill him, on Sunday, reports PTI.
His declaration, following a speech lasting over an hour in Antarwali Sarati in Jalna, where Jarange made several allegations against Fadnavis, caught his supporters off guard.
When questioned about Jarange’s remarks later, Fadnavis simply stated, “I did not hear what he spoke.”
Jarange, in his speech said, “Some individuals are being enticed and coerced into making false accusations against me. Fadnavis is orchestrating these schemes. He seeks to eliminate me. I am prepared to march to Sagar bungalow (Fadnavis’ official residence in Mumbai’s Malabar Hill) immediately.”
The announcement sparked chaos at the location, where the activist’s supporters had gathered in large numbers.
Despite attempts by some to take away his microphone, Jarange insisted that he would journey to Mumbai alone, needing only a stick for support. He contended that allegations against him surfaced after the Maratha quota bill was passed in the Maharashtra legislature on February 20.
“How is it that these individuals suddenly recognized my supposed mistakes and began discussing them?” Jarange questioned.
He also criticized the “Brahminical tactics” of Fadnavis while clarifying that his allegations were not directed at “all Brahmins”.
“Fadnavis dislikes anyone becoming more popular than him. It is because of Fadnavis that police complaints were filed against Maratha activists despite their peaceful protests. The court has permitted us to protest peacefully. Then why were police complaints filed?” he questioned in an interview with a regional news channel.
“I am not backing down from my demand to include Marathas in the OBC segment and issue Kunbi certificates. There was a plot to eliminate me by poisoning with saline. This government is attempting to discredit major communities through political manoeuvres,” he alleged.
In response, BJP MLA Nitesh Rane cautioned Jarange that he would have to overcome a “massive wall of party workers” to reach Fadnavis, asserting that the quota activist was “now reading from a script”. “He should enter politics, but he should not stoop to making such allegations against Fadnavis,” Rane added.
Mumbai BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar remarked that Jarange’s “true colours” were now evident to all.
“The Maharashtra government has provided 10 per cent reservation to the Maratha community (through a bill passed in the Legislature on February 20). Why is he persisting with his protest? Fadnavis was CM for five years, and everyone knows him. His image will not be tarnished by Jarange’s allegations,” Bhatkhalkar stated.
Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar cautioned against speaking in such a reprehensible manner against Fadnavis. He mentioned that the Eknath Shinde government had granted 10 per cent quota to the Maratha community and that the BJP consistently supported the initiative.
Regarding Jarange’s plans to march to Mumbai, Shelar stated, “Everyone has the right to come to Mumbai. In fact, he is invited to a meeting here. The BJP, however, is capable of confronting any political challenge posed by his protest.” Shelar also expressed suspicion about how promptly opposition parties sought an inquiry into Jarange’s allegations.
(Inputs from PTI)