The inaugural meeting of Maharashtra’s Cabinet subcommittee on Other Backward Classes (OBC) welfare quickly escalated into a heated confrontation, exposing deep divisions within the government over the issue of reservations. The meeting, held on Tuesday and chaired by BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule, was originally intended to review the social, educational, and economic conditions of the OBC community. However, it took a dramatic turn when senior minister Chhagan Bhujbal openly accused government officials of prioritizing Maratha interests at the expense of OBC welfare.
Bhujbal, who serves as the state’s Food and Civil Supplies Minister, launched a sharp attack on Social Justice Department secretary Harshadeep Kamble and his team, particularly over the controversial Government Resolution (GR) concerning Maratha reservations. He claimed that the administration was systematically neglecting OBC welfare schemes, highlighting the vast financial disparity in allocations. According to him, while Maratha welfare initiatives had been granted nearly ₹17,000 crore, schemes meant for OBCs had received barely ₹2,500 crore. Such an imbalance, Bhujbal warned, not only betrayed the community’s trust but could also have serious political repercussions for the government.
He further criticized the instructions issued to district collectors for implementing the GR, arguing that the decision effectively sidelined OBC rights. He warned that the OBC community might be compelled to approach the courts if the administration failed to ensure fair treatment. His remarks underscored the growing tension between the two communities, both of which have been demanding stronger government support.
Although many of the ministers present on the subcommittee appeared to share Bhujbal’s concerns, they largely chose to remain silent. The only one who openly supported his stance was Sanjay Rathod, the Soil and Water Conservation Minister. Rathod insisted that the GR should comply with the Hyderabad Gazette, ensuring that Maratha reservation benefits were extended only to those able to present valid proof.
Other members of the panel included Pankaja Munde, Gulabrao Patil, Atul Save, and Dattatraya Bharne. Their silence during the heated exchange reflected the government’s internal unease, as it faces the difficult task of balancing the competing demands of Maratha and OBC groups. The confrontation has once again highlighted the fragile fault lines in Maharashtra’s politics over the sensitive reservation issue.
