Tuesday Interview | 'Maratha reservation is very much possible,' says former Maharashtra Chief Minister Narayan Rane

In this interview with DH’s Mrityunjay Bose, Rane says declaring Marathas as Kunabis for the purpose of extending reservation benefits to the community encroaches upon the quota of Other Backward Castes.

Narayan Rane, the former Maharashtra chief minister, has been in all political parties except the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The Konkan strongman, who was also a Union minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s second tenure, is now a Bharatiya Janata Party MP from Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg. In this interview with DH’s Mrityunjay Bose, Rane says declaring Marathas as Kunbis for the purpose of extending reservation benefits to the community encroaches upon the quota of Other Backward Castes. Excerpts:

The demand for the Maratha reservation is one of the key issues in Maharashtra. In Lok Sabha polls, the BJP and its allies had suffered a jolt, and now comes the Vidhan Sabha polls.

First things first. The Maratha community needs reservations and must be given. In 2014 (during the Democratic Front government), I headed a committee and gave 16% reservation to the Maratha community. However, the issue went into litigation, and then a law was framed. The matter reached the Supreme Court, and it was scrapped. Earlier this year, the Maharashtra State Reservation for Socially and Educationally Backward Bill, 2024, was passed in the legislature. However, the demand now is to declare Marathas as Kunbis and implement a draft notification of sage-soyare (Marathi for ‘relatives from the family tree’). A proud Maratha would not accept such a reservation. Besides, it would encroach upon the OBC quota. 

Do you think a caste survey can resolve the Maratha quota issue? 

We have to move ahead. I don’t know how it would help in today’s age. We have to look at things practically. 

How can this impasse end?

Marathas constitute 34 per cent of the population, out of which 16% are educationally and socially disadvantaged. Articles 14 and 15(4) of the Constitution enable a state government to give reservations. We must look at this provision to arrive at a practical solution. After the elections, I am sure there will be a solution to the issue. 

You were once very close to the Shiv Sena founder, late Balasaheb Thackeray. Now there are two Shiv Senas—Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena and the Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT).

Things are very clear. Eknath Shinde heads the real Shiv Sena. As far as Lok Sabha elections are concerned, you can see the results. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena’s strike rate was much higher than Shiv Sena (UBT). People know the real Shiv Sena and who genuinely cares for the Shiv Sainiks.

Why do you think Shiv Sena has had to face rebellions and defections?

You cannot compare Uddhav Thackeray with Balasaheb. In a few years, Uddhav will finish the party. Shiv Sena was founded by Balasaheb with a mission to serve the Marathi manoos and further the cause of Hindutva. Uddhav has deviated from that. Balasaheb was a large-hearted man. 

Uddhav Thackeray’s tenure as CM has come under scrutiny, and you have been vocal about it.

In two-and-a-half years of tenure, he had been to Mantralaya, the state secretariat, only twice. Can you imagine! You can’t run the state on a laptop sitting in your home. Balasaheb would have never allowed the state to be administered like this. When I was the CM, every day thousands of files would be put up before me, and I had to take decisions.

Even after the split in the party, his attitude remains the same. If you look at Uddhav’s tenure and the Covid-19 pandemic, it is riddled with scams. Besides, several anti-development steps were taken by the Maha Vikas Aghadi dispensation. 

Do you think Aaditya Thackeray can take over the reins now?

Tell me, what do you think? See what he says. Is there any difference in him over the last five years? 

Will Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray make an impact in these polls as he has decided to go solo? 

You all know which side he is on.

What do you think is the biggest challenge for the state?

Infrastructure development, employment generation, increasing the gross domestic product and state GDP, and per capita income are the major challenges. 

As a senior politician, what is your take on the Maha Yuti, which includes the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar-led NCP?

I am not saying this because I am with the BJP or Maha Yuti. The three leaders are working very hard and are working round the clock. Our people are firm on the ground.

After the Lok Sabha polls, a lot of work has been done across the state. We will come to power. And with a good number of MLAs, we will perform better in the next Lok Sabha polls.