Bhujbal takes swipe at Pawar & Jarange

Nashik: Senior NCP politician Chhagan Bhujbal took swipes at NCP(SP) supremo Sharad Pawar and the Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Monday following his recent victory in Nashik's Yeola constituency."Sharad Pawar should not underestimate my capabilities as a politician. I can win elections even without his support and backing. I have huge respect for Sharad Pawar, and now that the assembly polls are over, I would advise him to take ample rest since he has campaigned a lot," Bhujbal told TOI.Bhujbal, one of the most prominent OBC politicians in the state, has won the Yeola seat as part of the undivided NCP since 2004. This time, he defeated NCP(SP) candidate Manikrao Shinde by over 26,000 votes, much lower than his 2019 margin of 56,000.Bhujbal's electoral victory this time, however, assumes significance since the highest number of voters, over 1.35 lakh, were from the Maratha community. Bhujbal has been at the forefront of opposing the demand for Maratha reservation within the OBC quota."Sharad Pawar addressed two rallies in my constituency. His first rally after the party split last year was also in Yeola. The second one was in the run-up to the polls. In both these rallies, he targeted me and made baseless allegations to tarnish my image. However, the poll results showed that the voters of Yeola are still by my side. Sharad Pawar should remember that I developed a strong bond with the people of my constituency because I dedicatedly nurtured Yeola," said Bhujbal.The NCP politician claimed both Sharad Pawar and Manoj Jarange were "desperate" to see his defeat in the assembly polls, and they were in touch with their supporters during the election, seeking feedback from the constituency. "Jarange had a roadshow a few days before the election in Yeola. Without taking my name, he appealed to the Maratha voters to ensure my loss since I was against Maratha reservation from within the OBC share. However, most of the Maratha community voters have reposed their trust in me," said Bhujbal.He also reminded Jarange that despite targeting deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, the latter successfully led BJP to a stupendous performance in the polls. "Both Fadnavis and I were Jarange's prime targets on the reservation issue. He should realise now that the Maratha community voters are intelligent and judicious while exercising their franchise. Jarange is now a closed chapter in Maharashtra. People want the state to progress at a rapid pace," said Bhujbal.