Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange to field Maratha candidates for Maharashtra assembly elections

Quota activist Manoj Jarange announced on Sunday that he will field Maratha candidates in the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections, specifically in constituencies where the community has a strong chance of winning. Addressing a gathering in Antarwali Sarti village in Jalna district, Jarange outlined his strategy to ensure representation for the Maratha community.

Jarange emphasized that his group would only field candidates in constituencies where Marathas are likely to secure a victory. In Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) reserved segments, he pledged to support candidates who back the Maratha quota demand. In other areas, his group will support candidates from any party or background, provided they commit to the cause of Maratha reservations. To ensure this commitment, Jarange stated that candidates must sign a written pledge supporting the Maratha community's demand for reservations under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.

The Maharashtra assembly elections will take place on November 20, with votes counted on November 23. Jarange called on potential candidates to file their nominations, noting that the final decision on their candidacy will be made by October 29. He also urged those asked to withdraw to comply with the group's decision.

Jarange accused Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of undermining the Maratha reservation movement and called on the community to rally for their demand under the OBC category. He continues to push for the enforcement of draft notifications from the Hyderabad, Bombay, and Satara gazettes, which declared Marathas as Kunbi, an agrarian group eligible for OBC benefits.