Maharashtra Assembly polls: Jarange-Patil withdraws from elections due to lack of candidate submissions from his coalition

Manoj Jarange-Patil makes U-turn on decision to contest polls

Manoj Jarange-Patil, a prominent advocate for Maratha reservation quotas, has unexpectedly withdrawn from the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections scheduled for November 20. This announcement, made in his Antarvali-Sarati village, comes after more than a year of intense activism characterized by hunger strikes, rallies, and public demonstrations.

Declaring the decision on the last day for candidate withdrawals, Jarange-Patil stated, “We cannot fight or win elections depending on the name of any one community. I have directed all my supporters to take back their nomination forms today.” His statement evoked relief among the state’s political parties, who had been concerned about the impact of his potential candidacy.

Jarange-Patil described the decision not as a retreat, but as a “battle strategy” following late-night discussions with his allies, which concluded around 3:30 AM. He acknowledged that the lack of candidate submissions from his coalition, which includes marginalized groups such as Muslims and Dhangars, contributed to his decision to step back from the electoral fray.

“We shall not put up our candidates… We are not dictating whom to vote for or against from either the ruling Mahayuti or the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi alliances,” Jarange-Patil asserted. “The people will decide to back those who support our interests.”

Since August 2023, Jarange-Patil had threatened to enter the electoral race, warning that he would challenge candidates from both major alliances who had failed to advocate for Maratha quotas.

Jarange-Patil’s activism had previously included efforts to forge alliances with like-minded groups, promising to contest all 288 Assembly seats and ensure the defeat of Mahayuti-MVA candidates. His campaign had been especially critical of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and NCP Minister Chhagan Bhujbal.

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