Baramati: A scheduled all-party meeting aimed at resolving the Maratha and OBC reservation issue was marred by controversy when leaders from the Maha Vikas Aghadi boycotted the gathering.
According to senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal, a phone call from Baramati at 5 PM prompted the boycott, which he attributes to directives from senior NCP leader Sharad Pawar.
Following the Legislative Council election victory, Ajit Pawar's faction of the NCP organized a public rally in Baramati to demonstrate their preparedness for the upcoming Legislative Assembly elections.
The rally was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, senior leader Praful Patel, state president Sunil Tatkare, ministers Chhagan Bhujbal, Dilip Walse Patil, Hasan Mushrif, Dhananjay Munde, Sanjay Bansode, MP Sunetra Pawar, newly elected MLAs Shivajirao Garje, Rajesh Vitekar, and youth state president Suraj Chavan.
Bhujbal launched a scathing attack on Sharad Pawar. Bhujbal criticized Pawar for not supporting a solution to the Maratha-OBC reservation clash and questioned why the entire Mahavikas Aghadi boycotted the meeting, implying that a phone call from Baramati was the cause.
"We have praised Sharad Pawar for implementing the Mandal Commission when he was Chief Minister. But now, when the Maratha-OBC communities are clashing over reservations, there should be a concerted effort to find a harmonious solution. Why did the entire Maha Vikas Aghadi boycott the meeting? Who made the phone call from Baramati at 5 PM?" Bhujbal questioned, making serious allegations against Sharad Pawar.
"While the Maratha and OBC communities are fighting over reservations, why aren't you joining us to resolve this issue? You might be angry with Ajit Pawar or me, but what has the OBC community done to deserve this? Your advice from behind is equivalent to igniting Maharashtra," Bhujbal criticized Sharad Pawar.
