Wadettiwar claims he is being targeted for being an OBC. Devendra Fadnavis stokes the controversy further argues government should consider sentiments of the Maratha community
Mumbai: The Maratha Kranti Morcha (MKM) on Monday targeted Minister for Relief and Rehabilitation Vijay Wadettiwar on the issue of scholarship funds disbursed by Sarathi (Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Research Training and Human Development Institute) for the community. The MKM demanded that Wadettiwar should resign as it has endangered the autonomy of the Sarathi institute.
Speaking to the media in Pune, Tushar Kakade of Maratha Kranti Morcha remarked, “The previous government had agreed to most of our demands. We demand the resignation of Vijay Wadettiwar. The autonomy of Sarathi is threatened. Vijay Wadettiwar is misleading the Maratha community. The government should abide by the word given during the agitation of Rajya Sabha MP Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje Bhosale”
He added that besides the disbursal of students’ scholarships coming to a grinding halt, Vijay Wadettiwar cannot do justice to this issue. Kakade alleged that discrimination was taking place after Vijay Wadettiwar took charge of the department.
The MKM demanded that Vijay Wadettiwar should be removed from the post and another efficient minister should be given the charge. Further, the MKM has warned that if there is any adverse judgment in tomorrow’s court verdict on Maratha reservation, the Maratha community will teach the government a lesson.
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“If something goes wrong, the Maratha community will take to the streets and it will be the responsibility of the government. Vijay Wadettiwar should not give it a political color”, warned the MKM.
Defending himself Vijay Wadettiwar argued “I am doing honest work for the charioteer (other word for Sarathi). As I come from the OBC community, I feel that I am being made the scapegoat, so I will request Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to hand over the responsibility of the Sarathi to a Maratha Minister, ”said Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Vijay Wadettiwar.
“Even today, I boldly say that the Sarathi Sanstha will not close down. But the political parties are provoking them. I will announce their names in due course”, added Vijay Wadettiwar.
“I work honestly. But still I am not interested in working on it after your allegations. It has been only six months since our government came to power. But due to the Coronavirus pandemic more than four months have been wasted. Everyone knows that the economic situation is grim. There is a shortage of funds. It is going to take a while for the Sarathi. As I am an OBC leader, if my role seems to be twofold, I will request the Chief Minister to hand over the responsibility,” Wadettiwar said.
“We are holding a review meeting for Maratha reservation. The subcommittee is planning to sustain the reservation in the Supreme Court. We are giving good lawyers. There is no manipulation in the court. The work of the court was in accordance with the nature of their work. If there is any doubt, Vijay Wadettiwar is not the last person. Tell your say to the Deputy Chief Minister, Chief Minister, said Wadettiwar.
In the meanwhile opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis said that “Maratha reservation is a matter beyond politics. When we brought the Maratha reservation bill, then the case happened. We worked for Maratha reservation by uniting people from all parties, informing them all and getting their help.”
“Currently, a case is pending in the Supreme Court regarding Maratha reservation. This case is now at a critical juncture. The government needs to pay attention to this case,” said Devendra Fadnavis.
