Won't spare if Maratha quota issue is not resolved before poll code: Jarange warns govt
Jalna, Oct 4: Maratha activist Manoj Jarange on Friday warned that if reservation is not granted to his community under the OBC category before the model code of conduct kicks in for the assembly polls, then those in power will not be spared.
He also urged the ruling as well as opposition parties not to play politics with the Maratha community and instead focus on granting its "rightful inclusion" in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.
Jarange was addressing a press conference in his native Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna.
"The BJP, which is in power at the state as well as at the Centre, can resolve this issue within an hour. They can either raise the reservation ceiling or include Marathas as Kunbis in the OBC category. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis must ensure that Maratha reservation is granted before the elections, or we will not spare them," he said.
Elections to the 288-member Maharashtra assembly are likely to be held next month.
He alleged that both the sides - the ruling parties as well as the opposition camp - were using this issue for electoral gains, and urged them to meet the community's demand before the election code of conduct comes into effect.
"Both sides should not play politics with the Marathas," he said.
He said that even as Fadnavis has not paid heed to the community's demand, he was hopeful that the deputy CM would address their concerns before the election code is enforced or else his party faces the risk of losing power.
When asked about NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar's appeal to the central government to increase the quota ceiling so that Marathas could be accommodated, Jarange said he supports the demand.
"I welcome Sharad Pawar's demand for increasing the reservation ceiling. However, our primary demand is for the inclusion of Marathas under the OBC quota," he said.
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Himanta resigns as Assam CM, paving way for formation of new govt
Guwahati (PTI): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday resigned along with his cabinet colleagues, paving the way for formation of a new government led by the BJP, officials said.
The BJP-led NDA bagged 102 seats in the 126-member assembly. The assembly elections were held in a single phase on April 9, and counting of votes took place on May 4.
"Following the formal notification of the results of #AssamElections2026 and to enable the formation of the new government, Dr @himantabiswa tendered his resignation as Chief Minister along with that of the council of Ministers to Hon'ble Governor Shri @Laxmanacharya54 today at Lok Bhawan," the Chief Minister's Office said in a post on X.
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The Governor has accepted the resignation, and requested Sarma to continue as the caretaker CM till the new government assumes office, it said.
Later, speaking to reporters outside the Lok Bhawan, Sarma said the oath-taking ceremony is likely to take place after May 11.
“As it was a historic win, we have invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to grace the occasion," he said.
The new Assam chief minister will be selected at a meeting of the BJP legislature party in presence of central observers, Sarma said.
