Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Thursday said that elections are not meant for him and that his focus is on helping the Maratha community to get reservation,according to PTI.
Speaking to reporters about his chances of contesting the Lok Sabha election from Maharastra’s Jalna following proposal by Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi’s proposal, Jarange said, “No, elections are not for me… My entire focus and my fight is for getting reservation for my community. I want to ensure that children of the Maratha community get a better life to live.”
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The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has received a proposal from the VBA, which is a constituency of the MVA, to field Jarange from Jalna. Sanjay Raut, chief spokesperson of Shiv Sena – UBT faction said that the proposal will be discussed in the next meeting.
Jarange who is currently going under treatment at a private hospital in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, after ending his fast three days.
The government still has a chance to implement the “sage soyre” (blood relatives of Kunbi Marathas) draft notification. The community will appreciate it, he said.
Notably, the draft notification was issued in January for issuing certificates to eligible Kunbi (OBC) Marathas.
Jarange has strongly opposed the recent 10 per cent quota given to the Maratha community by the Maharashtra legislature under a special category.
The activist has also faced criticism for using strong language against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday, alleging that the BJP leader was attempting to harm him.
Also Read: Maratha activist Manoj Jarange-Patil withdraws indefinite hunger strike after 17 days
In response to the controversy, assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar directed the state government on Tuesday to form a special investigation team (SIT) for a thorough inquiry into Jarange’s remarks against Fadnavis.
“The Maratha community and I will not give up the demand of quota for the relatives (of Marathas who have Kunbi certificates), even if I am put in jail. It seems the report (of SIT) is about to get ready before the inquiry. No matter wherever they keep me, I am ready to go anywhere,” he said.
“I am not greedy even for a single rupee. Let them arrest me. The route by which I will be taken to jail, they (government) will find crores of Maratha community members sitting on hunger strike along the route,” Jarange added.
The activist claimed that approximately 1.5 crore individuals have already benefited from reservation, with 57 lakh ‘Kunbi’ records identified so far. He continues to advocate for reservation for the remaining people.
“They (those in the government) expect that we should talk to them respectfully. When our people are getting arrested without any fault, why should we? What was the reason that curfew was imposed in Antarwali Sarati?” Jarange asked.
Jarange expressed conditional acceptance of the 10% reservation for the Maratha community, suggesting its inclusion in the OBC quota, particularly if facilities for the Social Economic Backward Class (SEBC) are incorporated.
