Babanrao Lonikar
| Picture Credit score: VIVEK BENDRE
BJP MLA and former Maharashtra minister Babanrao Lonikar is below hearth from the Marathas over his alleged comment throughout an election rally that the neighborhood’s energy might be “counted on fingers”.
Mr. Lonikar’s comment at a rally within the Partur meeting constituency in Jalna on November 12 has invited the ire of quota activist Manoj Jarange, who criticised him for underestimating the neighborhood’s energy.
The Partur meeting constituency will see a three-way battle between BJP’s three-time MLA Lonikar, Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Asaram Borade, and Congress insurgent Suresh Jethliya, who’s working as an impartial, within the November 20 state polls.
Jalna has been the epicentre of the Maratha quota stir and has witnessed huge protests by the neighborhood led by Jarange demanding reservation in training and authorities jobs.
Mr. Lonikar, throughout his rally in Ashti village, allegedly mentioned the Maratha neighborhood’s energy might be “counted on fingers”.
A video of his speech has been circulated on social media, sparking backlash from Maratha activists and leaders.
Accusing the BJP chief of underestimating the neighborhood’s energy, Jarange on Wednesday warned, “The Marathas will give a befitting reply for such remarks within the elections.” A neighborhood Maratha activist mentioned the neighborhood, which constitutes 32 per cent of the constituency’s inhabitants, would rally behind Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Borade as he’s a Maratha.
Whereas Lonikar is hoping to retain the seat for the saffron occasion, Congress insurgent Jethliya is banking on assist from minority, Dalit, and OBC voters.
Mr. Jethliya, who was elected as an impartial in 2009, contested unsuccessfully on a Congress ticket in 2014 and 2019. After being denied a Congress ticket this 12 months, he has chosen to contest as an impartial.
Revealed – November 16, 2024 02:02 pm IST
