Maratha leader Manoj Jarange Patil reiterates quota ultimatum

The stage is set for a confrontation of Maratha outfits with the Maharashtra government, as the latter has made it clear that a blanket reservation to the community by bringing them under the OBC category was not possible.

Maratha leader Manoj Jarange Patil on Saturday warned that the state government would be made to regret if it did not grant Marathas reservation by December 24.

"We will show what the Marathas are capable of," he said while speaking to reporters in Nanded.


Patil has been warning that he would lead a march of the Maratha community to Mumbai if its demand was not met by December 24.

The Maratha leader said the community members could vote en masse against any political party that they perceived was not keen to give them reservation. "If the Marathas can ensure that some are victorious (in the elections), then they could also ensure that he loses. This is about the future of our children and if the leaders have got big due to us, then we can also crush them beneath our feet," he said.

His threat is not just meant for the ruling coalition but also the opposition parties as the Congress and also the Sharad Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party have been saying that the Marathas should get a quota without it impacting the quota of other communities.

While Patil wants the community to be recognised as OBCs and given a blanket reservation, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has emphasised that while the state has been offering a quota to those Marathas who have historical proofs of being a Kunbi (a Maratha subcaste that is in the OBC category) A blanket reservation would not be given as it would not stand legal scrutiny.