Voting for the three Marathwada regions of Nanded, Hingoli, and Parbhani is scheduled for April 26. Maratha voters hold a significant influence in these constituencies. However, due to the absence of industries and development, the demand for reservation is high among Marathas in the Marathwada region, as voiced by Balaji Wankhede, an active member of the Maratha Kranti Morcha. The community faces challenges due to shrinking landholdings over time and insufficient income from agriculture. Reservation, Wankhede believes, would provide opportunities for Maratha youth to secure government jobs and receive scholarships for higher education. A Maratha youth from Parbhani, Narayan Patil, shares the community’s distress with the government and emphasizes the need for affordable education and employment opportunities. Bhushan Deshmukh, division president of the Akhil Bhartiya Maratha Mahasangh, highlights the lack of private sector jobs in Hingoli, making government employment crucial for the Maratha community. The dissatisfaction among Marathas is expected to influence voting patterns in the upcoming elections.
Maratha Vote Bank in Marathwada Upset, Demands Reservation
