Sanjay Raut Calls for Chhagan Bhujbal’s Resignation Amid Maratha Quota Row

By A Staff Reporter

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday urged Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal to step down from his post after the latter skipped a state cabinet meeting in protest over the ongoing Maratha quota issue.

Bhujbal, a senior leader representing the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community, stayed away from Wednesday’s cabinet meeting and later voiced his dissatisfaction with a government order granting Kunbi status to eligible members of the Maratha community. The decision effectively makes them eligible for reservation benefits under the OBC category.

The minister has publicly expressed concerns that the move could dilute the existing quota for OBCs and has hinted at challenging the government’s decision in court. His absence from the cabinet meeting is being viewed as a sign of mounting tensions within the ruling coalition over the sensitive issue.

Reacting to Bhujbal’s stand, Sanjay Raut said that instead of boycotting cabinet meetings, the minister should resign if he is unhappy with the government’s approach. He added that internal dissent on such a crucial matter sends a confusing message to the public.