Amit Shah Takes Charge of BJP's Maharashtra Campaign Amid Maratha Quota Agitation
Amit Shah, Union Home Minister, has taken charge of BJP's Maharashtra campaign, attempting to assuage BJP leaders' fears over the Maratha quota agitation. He cited the example of the Patidar reservation stir in Gujarat and told them to leave the Maratha s
Amit ShahMaharashtraMaratha Quota AgitationBjpPatidar Reservation StirGujaratLok Sabha Elections 2024Real Estate MaharashtraSep 27, 2024
During his meeting with the party workers in Sambhajinagar, Shah attempted to assuage BJP leaders' fears over the Maratha quota agitation. While trying to convince the workers, Shah cited the example of the Patidar reservation stir in Gujarat and told them to leave the Maratha stir to the Centre.
We faced a similar agitation by the Patels for reservation in Gujarat. So, leave the Maratha reservation issue to us. The party should focus on getting maximum voters out of houses to booths (on voting day), Shah was quoted as saying.
In the Lok Sabha polls this year, the BJP won only 9 seats, a massive fall from 23 seats in the 2019 elections. Of these, the saffron party won 2 seats each in Western Maharashtra (out of 11), Vidarbha (out of 10), North Maharashtra (out of 6), and Konkan (out of 6). The party also won one seat out of the six seats in Mumbai.
The Patidar stir in Gujarat was a major agitation by the Patidar community in 2015, demanding that they be granted Other Backward Class (OBC) status as they felt left out of educational and economic opportunities. This would help them to reap the benefits from reservation quotas in government jobs and educational institutions.
The Centre, however, did not directly intervene in granting OBC status to the Patidars. Four years later in 2019, Gujarat government introduced 10 per cent quota for economically weaker sections (EWS), aimed at communities such as the Patidars who felt excluded from traditional reservations.
Back to Maharashtra Other key points of Shah's meetings
Besides this, the meeting was also aimed at answering some questions on the election of the most acceptable BJP face in Maharashtra and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
During this meeting, a pamphlet emphasising the importance of collective leadership, something that RSS Maharashtra elections coordinator Atul Limaye has advocated.
The CM face issue is a particularly sticky one for the BJP in the state as it will have to factor in the sentiments of its other two allies in the state -- Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
Commenting on Shah's involvement, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule said that it was natural, while adding that the party always works as a team. And the guidance of our Central leaders rejuvenates the cadre, Bawankule said.
Interestingly, Union minister Nitin Gadkari was not present at the closed-door meeting held in Nagpur as the veteran leader was campaigning in Jammu & Kashmir. Gadkari's involvement could help the BJP immensely in Maharashtra, given his friendly ties with politicians across the board.
Despite his edge in state politics, Gadkari has said emphatically that he does not want to get involved barring campaigning if there is any confusion or anguish about his role. Since 2014, when he moved to Centre politics, he has consciously kept away from state matters, a close aide told the publication.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is a major political party in India, founded in 1980. It is one of the two major national parties in India, along with the Indian National Congress. The party is known for its Hindu nationalist ideology and has been in power at the national level since 2014.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Maratha quota agitation?
The Maratha quota agitation is a movement by the Maratha community in Maharashtra, demanding reservation in government jobs and educational institutions.
What did Amit Shah say about the Maratha quota agitation?
Amit Shah, Union Home Minister, told BJP leaders to leave the Maratha quota issue to the Centre, citing the example of the Patidar reservation stir in Gujarat.
What is the Patidar reservation stir in Gujarat?
The Patidar reservation stir was a major agitation by the Patidar community in Gujarat in 2015, demanding that they be granted Other Backward Class (OBC) status.
How many seats did the BJP win in the Lok Sabha polls this year in Maharashtra?
The BJP won only 9 seats in the Lok Sabha polls this year in Maharashtra, a massive fall from 23 seats in the 2019 elections.
Who is Nitin Gadkari and what is his role in Maharashtra politics?
Nitin Gadkari is a Union minister and a veteran leader of the BJP. He has friendly ties with politicians across the board and his involvement could help the BJP immensely in Maharashtra.
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