Latest news with #Fadnavis-led
Indian Express
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Jarange Patil to hold morcha to Mumbai to demand Maratha reservation
Ahead of the local bodies' elections this year, activist Manoj Jarange Patil has planned a morcha in Mumbai to demand reservation for Marathas on August 29. Jarange Patil is touring the state to revive his network with local units and community leaders. Jarange Patil held a meeting with his followers at Dharashiv (Marathwada). Speaking to the media, he issued a stern warning to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to not interfere with their plans nor make any attempts to scuttle it. 'Don't meddle with our morcha. You have done it in the past and paid a heavy price,' he said. 'The Maratha community is fighting for its rights. I represent the poor and oppressed Marathas who are denied quotas. Any attempt on your part (Devendra Fadnavis) will invite backlash. And it's consequences will not only adversely impact the Maharashtra government, but also the Narendra Modi government.' After the 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly Elections, Jarange Patil has been quiet. The Maratha reservation was an important plank which went against the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls where the party won just nine seats and along with alliance partners Shiv Sena (7) and NCP (one), it's tally was restricted to just 17 seats out of 48. Whereas, the Maha Vikas Aghadi comprising Congress (14), Shiv Sena- UBT(9) and NCP (8) together made up for 31 seats. However, the Maratha reservation factor did not make much of an impact in the Assembly polls held six months later in November 2024. As OBC consolidation along with other factors saw BJP emerge as the single largest party with 132 seats. With alliance partners Shiv Sena (57) and NCP (41) it's tally added to 230 seats out of 288. With an absolute majority, the Fadnavis-led Mahayuti is on a strong footing in the state. Despite agitations and poll promises by the ruling and opposition parties over the years, Maratha reservation remains a sensitive issue which remains unresolved. During the Eknath Shinde-led government of 2022-2024, the state adopted a unanimous resolution in the state legislative assembly and council giving ten per cent reservation to Marathas in government educational institutions and jobs. The decision was rejected by Jarange Patil, who wanted Maratha reservation within the OBC quota. In Maharashtra, OBCs are entitled to 27 per cent quota. Along with other groups including Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs, Special Backward Category, Nomadic Tribes, it makes up for a total 51 per cent. Exactly, two years ago on August 29, 2023 Jarange Patil held demonstration at his native village Antarwali Sarathi in Jalna district in Marathwada region. At that time Shinde was CM and Fadnavis was deputy CM with home portfolio. The 43 years old Maratha activist known for his unwavering commitment to reservation for the community was then just seen as a local leader. However, police lathicharge on the protestors who were violent invited sharp reaction from community across Maharashtra. And Jarange Patil become larger than life leader representing the cause of Maratha quota. Despite strong resentment from established leaders he elicited support amongst the masses and patronage from politicians who were against BJP led Mahayuti government. Although the demand for Maratha reservation had been voiced way back in 1980s, it took the form of an organised protest in 2016 to 2018 during first tenure of the Fadnavis government (2014-2019). The agitation for reservation was organised as Maratha Kranti Morcha. The first phase of the agitation, which saw 58 silent rallies across Maharashtra, was peaceful and highly disciplined in 2016 to 2017. In the second phase of the agitation — from 2017-2018 that rocked the state following a spate of suicides — saw the state government expeditiously set up the M G Gaikwad Commission, which gave a nod for Maratha quota. It was followed by the government's decision to come out with a special legislation, The Socially and Educationally Backward Class Act, to accommodate Maratha reservation. The community, under the SEBC act, got 12 and 13 per cent reservation in education and job. Jarange-Patil played a pro-active role in all these agitations as an activist. He had not yet risen to the status of a leader during this time, a role the agitations had been missing. In the past, he had associated himself with the Congress party at the taluka level. However, he soon left the party and started the Shivba Sanghatana in 2011. His stated objective of the newly formed organisation was to campaign for the rights of Marathas. Like any other youth, he was also highly influenced by the role of the Maratha warrior kings Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Sambhaji Maharaj. He took the lead along with other villagers in organising the birth anniversaries of Shivaji and Sambhaji Maharaj and also addressed the rural audience. He had actively participated in organising a play on Sambhaji Raje enacted by NCP (MP) Amol Kolhe in his taluka and neighbourhood. The rape and murder of a 15-year-old girl in Kopardi village in Ahmednagar district, which led the Marathas to consolidate and plan an agitation, also had a lasting influence on him. Jarange Patil participated in long marches in Marathwada region as an activist. In 2018, the Fadnavis government announced 12 and 13 per cent quota to Marathas in education and jobs respectively. However, the quota was challenged in court through a public litigation questioning its social backwardness. The Supreme Court had in May 2021 struck down reservation for Marathas under the Socially and Educationally Backward Class Act. The reason was that the reservation violated the 50 per cent ceiling mandated for the state. Secondly, questions were also raised about the social backward status of Marathas, which was the politically dominant community with 33 per cent state population.
United News of India
01-07-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Nana Patole suspended from Maha Assembly session for climbing on Speaker's podium, abusing Modi
a Mumbai, July 1 (UNI) Congress MLA Nana Patole was suspended for a day from the Maharashtra Assembly's ongoing monsoon session today after he climbed on to Speaker Rahul Narvekar's podium and also allegedly abused Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a heated debate on the (Devendra) Fadnavis-led government not waiving off agri loans of farmers and stopping crop insurance. This led to the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) opposition boycotting proceedings of the legislative assembly for a day to protest against Nana Patole's suspension from the monsoon session for a day. "This may be the first time in the history of Maharashtra that someone has been suspended for raising their voice against the humiliation faced by farmers. The misfortune of Maharashtra is that this government is not for farmers but is sitting on our heads with the blessings of the Election Commission. The BJP has shown today that it can sit in the ruling benches by insulting the farmers without fulfilling any promises made to them. Therefore, we have boycotted the proceedings of the legislative assembly for a day to protest against Nana Patole's suspension," Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena MLA Aaditya Thackeray said. The ruckus in the house began after 62-year-old Nana Patole who is the former president of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), who represents the Sakoli constituency in the Bhandara district of Maharashtra and has been a former Speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly, demanded action against BJP MLA Babanrao Lonikar and Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate for "insulting" farmers. Patole pointed out how Lonikar allegedly told a gathering of farmers in his assembly constituency in Partur of Jalna district that "people who criticise his party (BJP) and government should know that they are getting clothes, shoes, mobile phones, monetary benefits of schemes and money for sowing because of us". Also, Minister Kokate had allegedly claimed that farmers spent loan waiver money on weddings. "One rupee is something even beggars don't accept but the government is giving crop insurance for that sum, which is being misused by some persons," Kokate had allegedly said. Immediately after the Question hour, Patole demanded action against BJP MLA Babanrao Lonikar and Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate for insulting farmers. Patole reached the podium and began arguing with Speaker Rahul Narvekar. Referring to statements made by Lonikar and Minister Kokate, Patole demanded that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should apologise in the House. "BJP MLA Babanrao Lonikar and Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate are constantly insulting farmers. Farmers will not tolerate this insult. The Chief Minister should apologise to farmers in the House. Modi may be your father, but he cannot be the father of the farmers," Patole thundered. Speaker Narvekar asked Patole to desist from using unparliamentary words, but Patole began talking loudly. After this, the House was adjourned for five minutes. When proceedings resumed, the opposition started raising slogans like "Apologise, apologise, apologise to the farmers of Maharashtra", even as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis lashed out at Patole. Fadnavis said that Patole had moved aggressively towards the Speaker, which is not right and hence he must apologise. However, Patole climbed on to the Speaker's podium and demanded action against Lonikar and Kokate, after which Speaker Narvekar announced that he was suspending Patole from the House for the entire day. After Patole was suspended from the assembly session, he strongly condemned the incident and demanded an apology from CM Fadnavis. Patole tweeted on microblogging site X and wrote, 'We will not tolerate insults to farmers. The Chief Minister should apologise! The continuous insults to farmers by leaders of the Mahayuti are highly condemnable. The statements made by BJP MLA Babanrao Lonikar and Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate have hurt sentiments of farmers. The Chief Minister should publicly apologise to farmers in the House for insulting farmers. BJP MLAs and ministers claim that PM Modi is the messiah of farmers, but PM Modi cannot be the messiah of farmers. The way farmers are being insulted, is this why they were brought to power? Ever since PM Modi formed the government, the suicide rate of farmers has increased. We will continue to fight for farmers." Patole stated that he would not stop criticising the government even if he is suspended every day for raising his voice for farmers. 'BJP is anti-farmer. Today, farmers in Maharashtra have been devastated due to unseasonal rains. Crops have been destroyed. These people are not waiving off farmers' loans. Crop insurance has been stopped. We will raise our voice against the government every day. We will not stop even if we are suspended every day. We will raise the issues of the farmers again tomorrow. We will not sit still until action is taken against Lonikar and the Agriculture minister, as well as make the Chief Minister apologise to farmers," Patole said. "This government can give any reason for the suspension. If there was even a little bit of fear in the government, the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Ministers would have taken action against Lonikar and the Agriculture minister for continuously insulting farmers. But the Chief Minister brought it on record that I insulted the Speaker. I have also been a Speaker. I also know the rules. If the Speaker ignores the questions of the people and suppresses the voice of the opposition, the opposition has to take this stand. The Chief Minister says I have insulted the Speaker, but we do not need the Chief Minister's certificate. I am a farmer. If anyone insults our farmers, we will not tolerate it," Patole added. UNI XC SS
The Print
20-06-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Will continue to be in Sharad Pawar-led party, says Eknath Khadse
Asked the reason for not meeting Fadnavis at the event, Khadse said, 'There was no scheduled meeting. Neither had I sought an appointment with him.' Khadse joined the undivided Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in October 2023 after quitting the BJP. His exit from the saffron party after almost four decades followed a rift with Fadnavis. 'The subject of my re-joining the BJP is over. I am with NCP (SP) and will continue to be there,' Khadse, 73, said, after attending a public event in his home district Jalgaon in north Maharashtra, where CM Devendra Fadnavis was also present. Jalgaon (Maharashtra), Jun 20 (PTI) Former Maharashtra minister Eknath Khadse on Friday ruled out rejoining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying he will continue to be in the party headed by former Union minister Sharad Pawar. In June 2016, Khadse had resigned from the Fadnavis-led state government following corruption allegations in an MIDC land deal. Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections last year, there was talk of Khadse rejoining the party he left in 2020 after meeting BJP president J P Nadda. Khadse had then told a regional news channel, 'When I met Nadda, he felicitated me with a scarf, and declared that I had become part of the BJP.' The official announcement never came amid speculation that Fadnavis and BJP minister Girish Mahajan, Khadse's rival in north Maharashtra politics, had played spoilsport. Talks of Khadse returning to the saffron party had intensified after the BJP renominated his daughter-in-law Raksha Khadse as Lok Sabha candidate, and made her a Union minister of state after she won. PTI COR VT VT This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
New Indian Express
17-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Maharashtra doubles pension for Emergency-era detainees, extends benefits to spouses
The BJP-led Maharashtra government on Tuesday approved a cabinet decision to increase monthly pensions for individuals jailed during the Emergency period (1975–77). Under the revised scheme, those who were imprisoned for less than a month will now receive Rs 10,000 per month, up from Rs 5,000. Those jailed for more than a month will get Rs 20,000 monthly, compared to the earlier Rs 10,000. The government also amended the scheme to allow the surviving spouse of a deceased beneficiary to receive 50% of the pension. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the move aims to 'honour and glorify' those who fought for democracy during the Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi between June 25, 1975 and March 31, 1977. As per the cabinet note, surviving spouses will have to apply afresh to their respective district collectors. If the beneficiary passed away before January 2, 2018, the spouse can still apply with an affidavit. A 90-day window will be provided from the date of the official announcement for such applications. The earlier age requirement of being at least 18 at the time of arrest has been scrapped, making more people eligible for the scheme. The respective district collectors will verify the names and addresses of eligible beneficiaries and ensure the pension amount is credited directly to their bank accounts. There are 3,782 recognized Emergency detainees in Maharashtra. The government has sanctioned Rs 28 crore to cover their pensions for the period from April 2025 to January 2026. A total of Rs 55 crore had been approved for the scheme, with this amount forming the first release. The scheme, originally launched in January 2018 by the then Fadnavis-led government, had been scrapped in 2020 by the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government, citing financial constraints due to the Covid-19 pandemic. With Fadnavis back in power, the scheme has now been reinstated.
Indian Express
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Devendra Central Jail and Rehabilitation Centre': ‘Saamana' hits out at Fadnavis for ‘will put corrupt in jail' remark
Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamana on Saturday asked Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to name his ministry the 'Devendra Central Jail and Rehabilitation Centre'. 'Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said he will send those who indulge in corruption to jail. His statement is laughable. In the past, he had warned of putting those who indulge in corruption in jail. However, now he is showering praise and petals on the same people daily. The chief minister is making ridiculous statements giving them the honours of being 'Turangshree' and 'Yugpurush',' the editorial in the paper published on Saturday said. The paper said: 'Fadnavis has claimed that Maharashtra was ahead in foreign investment. In reality, Maharashtra is ahead in corruption, atrocities on women and criminalisation of politics.' 'In the ensuing cabinet meeting, minister Chhagan Bhujbal should move a proposal to name the Fadnavis-led ministry as Devendra Central Jail and Rehabilitation Centre…The government should sound the bugle for it,' the paper added. Taking a jibe at the BJP, the paper said: 'We are living in times when people are told to brazenly indulge in corruption and then join the BJP. They will be pardoned for all crimes if they join the BJP.' Pointing out that two Sri Lankan ministers have been jailed for corruption, the paper said: '…in India, instead of sending the corrupt to jail, they are joining the state and central ministries'. The paper said: 'The chief minister recently made the announcement that those who indulge in corruption will be sent to jail. He should actually clarify, which jail? Currently, Fadnavis's cabinet is serving as a jail. And the criminals in the cabinet are occupying lavish bungalows. This is the 'Sindoor' image of Maharashtra's corrupt.'
