Maratha, OBC rivalry to shape Maharashtra election

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Maharashtra's political landscape is increasingly shaped by caste-based agitation, with tensions between the Maratha and Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities threatening the social fabric of the state. As the upcoming assembly elections draw near, the polarisation within these groups, especially in regions like Marathwada, could play a decisive role in determining electoral outcomes. With 46 seats at stake in this region alone, the reservation issue has become a focal point for political mobilization.  

Maratha agitation: Call for OBC status

The Maratha community has been rallying behind the demand for inclusion within the OBC quota, seeking a share of the reservation pie. This movement, led by activist Manoj Jarange-Patil, began in Marathwada and soon spread to other parts of Maharashtra. Jarange-Patil has been vocal in urging Marathas to vote collectively in the upcoming election to defeat those opposing their OBC inclusion, amplifying the community’s grievances and calls for change.  

The state government, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has shown signs of accommodating these demands, further stoking the anxieties of existing OBC groups. OBC leaders fear that adding the predominant community to their category would dilute their current share of reservations, heightening tensions between the two influential communities.  

OBC counter-mobilisation: Resistance to Maratha inclusion

In response to the agitation by the preeminent caste group, several OBC activists, including Laxman Hake and Navnath Waghmare, launched protests opposing the inclusion of Marathas under the OBC category. Their counter-agitation culminated in a hunger strike, warning the state government against acceding to the demands of the domineering group.  

This clash has ignited anxieties over the redistribution of affirmative action benefits. OBC leaders argue that the inclusion of Marathas, a politically dominant community, would undermine the purpose of reservations, which aim to uplift historically disadvantaged groups.  

The fallout from this issue has already been reflected in recent electoral outcomes. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the ruling coalition suffered a setback in Marathwada, losing seven out of eight seats, signalling the political influence that caste-based assemblage can exert.  

Dhangars, Scheduled Tribes: Parallel fault line

The friction between the Marathas and OBCs is not the only source of caste-based conflict in Maharashtra. A parallel struggle is unfolding between the Dhangar community and Scheduled Tribes (ST). The Dhangars, who currently fall under the OBC umbrella, are demanding inclusion in the ST category to access greater reservation benefits. This demand has triggered resistance from ST communities, who fear a reduction in their share of reserved seats if Dhangars are granted ST status.  

The Dhangars wield significant political clout, particularly in western Maharashtra, where they influence over 20 assembly seats across Pune, Sangli, Solapur, and Ahmednagar. Meanwhile, Maharashtra has 25 assembly seats reserved exclusively for Scheduled Tribes. The rivalry between these two groups adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing caste conflicts in the state.  

In a striking display of this tension, leaders from both the Dhangar and ST communities recently protested at the Maharashtra Secretariat by jumping on a safety net, underscoring the urgency and intensity of their demands.  

Electoral impact of caste polarization

With caste politics taking centre stage, the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections are expected to be heavily influenced by these social dynamics. The strife between Marathas and OBCs, along with the Dhangar-ST conflict, has fragmented the state's political landscape. Political parties will need to navigate these tensions carefully, balancing community interests without alienating any major voter blocs.  

The stakes are high for all parties involved. The traditionally Marathi peasantry group, historically aligned with parties like the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Sharad Pawar, are now showing signs of realignment under the pressure of the reservation demand. On the other hand, OBCs, a crucial voter base for the ruling coalition, have expressed discontent with the government's handling of the issue of the most assertive community in Maharashtra, creating uncertainty for the Shinde administration.  

As caste-based mobilization continues to shape the political narrative, Maharashtra's elections may well serve as a litmus test for how political parties address complex identity-based demands. The outcome will likely hinge not only on economic and governance issues but also on how effectively parties can manage these caste-driven movements.  

In a state where identity politics plays a pivotal role, the intensifying rivalry between Marathas, OBCs, Dhangars, and ST communities highlights the delicate balancing act required to maintain social harmony. As Maharashtra heads to the polls, caste polarisation could emerge as the deciding factor in what promises to be one of the most contentious elections in recent years.