Credit: By Jamsayyad
Maratha Quota Activist Manoj Jarange-Patil Withdraws Election Support
Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil, who recently announced his intention to support 10 to 15 candidates in the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly election, has decided to step back from any involvement in the November 20 polls.
After consultations, Jarange-Patil clarified that his focus will now solely be on holding leaders accountable for not “giving justice to Marathas.”
In a statement to the media, Jarange-Patil explained, “It is not possible to contest and win an election on the strength of one caste. We are new in politics. If we field a candidate and he loses, it will be a shame for the caste. Therefore, I request all the Maratha candidates to withdraw their nomination.”
The 42-year-old activist gained national attention through his hunger strike demanding reservation benefits for the Maratha community. Initially, he planned to support candidates opposing the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition in Maharashtra’s Marathwada region, which includes Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Beed, Hingoli, Jalna, Latur, Nanded, Osmanabad, and Parbhani districts.
Jarange-Patil’s decision to pull back from the election is expected to influence the political dynamics in the region. The withdrawal of Maratha-backed candidates could prevent the division of anti-BJP votes, likely benefitting the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which includes Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and the Nationalist Congress Party led by Sharad Pawar.
This move underscores Jarange-Patil’s shift in strategy, focusing on Maratha justice rather than direct electoral participation. The activist’s stance signals his intent to influence the political landscape through community support rather than political candidacy.
