Manoj Jarange starts his tour for quota, OBC leader Laxman Hake wishes him luck

PUNE/CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange kickstarted his eight-day-long tour of Marathwada to gather support from the community and put pressure on the state government to grant reservation to the community in the existing OBC quota. OBC activist Laxman Hake, on the other hand, said some candidates from the community might contest the upcoming assembly elections in the state "so that issues related to our community are raised."
Hake said welfare of the state's people is not in their (govt) mind."We will have to send some fresh faces to the assembly who will speak about social justice and protection of rights," he said.
Referring to Jarange's stance, Hake said, "If he is serious about defeating all the 288 MLAs, I wish him luck. In such a case, he should start from the chief minister's constituency."
He said, "As far as my stand on the Maratha reservation is concerned, I am not against the Kunbis getting reservation under the OBC category. However, my opposition is to include the entire Maratha community in the OBC category. I will continue to oppose this demand of Jarange."
Meanwhile, holding his first mega rally in Hingoli district, Jarange once again targeted food and civil supplies minister Chhagan Bhujbal. Jarange is scheduled to hold a rally in Parbhani district on Sunday. He came down heavily on Bhujbal, who is the biggest OBC face in the state.
"If this government, by listening to Bhujbal, does injustice to the Maratha community, we will ensure it does not win even a single seat in the assembly polls," he said.
"If Manoj Jarange gets distanced from his community (due to denting of image), then Maratha community will not get such a loyal person (to fight for their cause). I need your support and blessings for taking this fight to its logical end," said Jarange. In his first rally held in Hingoli district, where over 250 public announcement systems were installed to air his speech, Jarange said, "The government has decided to expose (corner) me, but with folded hands I appeal to the Maratha community to not let that happen to me."
Jarange said even if he is cornered and bullied, he will not step back without ensuring justice for Maratha community. Jarange is scheduled to hold 'peace and awareness' rallies in each of the eight districts of Marathwada till July 13.