Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut demanded that Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal resign from the state cabinet to protect his self-respect and uphold moral integrity, citing perceived injustice to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) due to the government’s recent Maratha quota decision. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Raut accused Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde of orchestrating the Maratha quota protests to undermine Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, escalating political tensions in the state.

The controversy stems from a government resolution (GR) issued after activist Manoj Jarange ended his five-day hunger strike in Mumbai on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. The GR grants Kunbi (OBC) caste certificates to eligible Marathas, enabling them to access quota benefits, a move that has sparked discontent among OBC leaders like Bhujbal. Bhujbal, a prominent OBC advocate and Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction) leader, skipped a state cabinet meeting on Wednesday and expressed his intent to legally challenge the decision, arguing it undermines OBC interests.

Raut criticized Bhujbal’s continued presence in the cabinet, stating, “If Bhujbal believes injustice has been done to his community, he should resign on moral grounds, like C D Deshmukh did under Nehru.” He argued that Bhujbal’s boycott of the cabinet meeting signals a lack of trust in Fadnavis, urging him to step down and publicly clarify his stance. Raut also took a veiled swipe at Shinde, alleging that the Deputy CM encouraged Jarange’s protests not to secure Maratha reservations but to create political trouble for Fadnavis. “Shinde’s intention was to challenge Fadnavis by bringing protesters to Mumbai in large numbers,” Raut claimed.

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The Maratha quota issue has long been a contentious topic in Maharashtra, pitting community demands against OBC reservations. Jarange’s successful agitation has bolstered Maratha confidence in accessing quota benefits, but it has also deepened divisions, with OBC leaders like Bhujbal fearing dilution of their community’s rights. As Bhujbal contemplates legal action, Raut’s remarks intensify the political drama, highlighting fractures within the ruling coalition and raising questions about the state’s handling of quota policies.

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