Bhujbal’s resignation not accepted: Fadnavis

Minister’s bombshell puts a focus on the Maratha quota tightrope that the Eknath Shinde-led government is walking

The disclosure by Chhagan Bhujbal that he resigned as a minister last November has put a focus on the Maratha quota tightrope the Eknath Shinde-led government is walking amid restlessness in OBCs.

Hours after the dramatic announcement was made by Bhujbal, who belongs to the Ajit Pawar faction of NCP, at a public rally on Saturday, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said his resignation has not been accepted.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will be able to clarify, Fadnavis told reporters.

Bhujbal has accused the government of facilitating “backdoor entry” of the Maratha community into the OBC quota by pandering to the demands made by the activist Manoj Jarange-Patil.

He has sharpened his attack against the government after it issued a draft notification accepting Jarange-Patil’s demand that blood relatives of Marathas with Kunbi (OBC sub-caste) records, will be given the Kunbi certificates.

Addressing a rally of OBCs in Ahmednagar on Saturday,

Bhujbal referred to the demands being raised by some leaders from the government and the Opposition for sacking him as a minister in view of his public outbursts against the handling of the Maratha reservation issue.

“I want to tell leaders from the opposition, government, and my party that ahead of the OBC Elgar rally held in Ambad on November 17, I resigned from the cabinet on November 16 and then went to attend that event. There is

no need for sacking. I have tendered my resignation. I will fight for the OBCs till the end,” he said.

He also said he kept quiet for more than two months because the chief minister and the deputy CM asked him not to speak about the resignation.

Bhujbal reiterated that he was not opposed to Marathas getting the reservation but is against sharing the existing quota for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs).