Wadettiwar attacks government over Jarange stir, hits out on OBC issue

The state's political atmosphere has heated up after Manoj Jarange Patil announced a fresh agitation in Mumbai. Since the protest will coincide with Ganeshotsav, the issue of crowds and law and order in Mumbai has come up for discussion. Against this backdrop, senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar launched a sharp attack on the state government.

Wadettiwar said that since Mumbai will see huge crowds during Ganeshotsav, it remains to be seen how the government handles this agitation. He also levelled a serious allegation that the government is trying to create a dispute pitting OBCs against Hindus.

Wadettiwar made a pointed remark on the way government ministers go to meet Manoj Jarange Patil, asking how their necks do not break given how low they bow before him. He taunted that the government is bowing before Jarange, which is why Jarange believes he has become a "badshah". He also said the government is bowing down and this is being taken advantage of.

Wadettiwar alleged that the government is not taking OBC issues seriously. He also raised the issue of OBC representation in jobs and local self-government bodies.

In a post on Twitter (X), Wadettiwar wrote that this government has repeatedly bowed before Manoj Jarange Patil's agitation, which is why Jarange Patil has started considering himself a "badshah". He said Jarange is now set to agitate in Mumbai again, and that "we will not get involved in that, the Mahayuti government will look after law and order."

Wadettiwar issued a direct challenge, saying that if the government has the strength in it, it should crush Jarange's agitation. He said he has no objection to the agitation being held, but demanded that the government take a firm stand on law and order and on OBC issues.

Wadettiwar taunted further, saying that if Jarange is speaking against senior leaders, the government should take action against him. He said that if the government does not have the courage to act, it should send its ministers again to press the agitators' feet, adding that if someone massages Jarange Patil's feet, he will listen to the government. He said the whole of Maharashtra is watching what is currently happening in the state.

Meanwhile, demanding that the government take a serious stand on OBC issues, Wadettiwar has indicated that he will raise this issue more aggressively in the coming days.