The Maratha reservation row in Maharashtra is set to escalate as the State unit of the Congress on Thursday alleged that a BJP office-bearer was leading the organisation that has been fighting against the quota for the community.
“It is the BJP’s policy to pretend that they support Maratha reservation on one side and run a campaign on the other to prevent it. An organisation called Save Merit, Save Nation, which is fighting against Maratha reservation in the Supreme Court, has a direct connection with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Founder of this organization, Dr. Anup Marar, is the East Vidarbha coordinator of the BJP’s medical front,” said Sachin Sawant, Maharashtra Congress general secretary.
The apex court has quashed the reservation for Marathas earlier this month.
Mr. Sawant said the institution did not exist at the time of the court battle in the Mumbai High Court.“However, after the High Court ruled in favour of reservation, the organisation started functioning. According to the organisation’s website, it has sent four petitions against Maratha reservation. A BJP office-bearer is bound by the rules and regulations of the party. Why didn’t the BJP stop him,” asked Mr. Sawant.
The BJP did not comment on Mr. Marar’s connection with the party. It claimed that the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) provided financial help to petitions against Maratha reservation. BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhye, however, did not provide details of the donations.
Protest march
The BJP has decided to send its Maratha leaders to different parts of the State to meet the community members and bring them under its banner demanding reservation. The community is planning a protest march on June 5 and the BJP has extended its support to it. The Congress has lashed out at the BJP for organising a protest march at the time of the pandemic.
“A BJP sponsored agitation will be held on June 5. The BJP’s reputation as a corona super spreader is already well established. If corona erupts in Maharashtra after the June 5 agitation, the BJP will be responsible for it,” said Mr. Sawant.
Rajya Sabha member Sambhaji Chhatrapati on Thursday met NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray to garner support for the Maratha reservation ‘battle’.
“I conveyed the disturbance within the Maratha community and requested him [Sharad Pawar] to intervene in the matter along with the CM and the Opposition leader. He was positive,” said the MP.
