Sambhaji Brigade to contest LS, assembly polls

Chandrapur: Sambhaji Brigade, an organization of Maratha-OBCs, has formally decided to jump into electoral politics. Considering its strong presence across the state, Sambhaji Brigade is certain to change vote calculations of many established political parties.
Central observer Chandrakant Vaidya on Wednesday said the organization has decided to contest 30 Lok Sabha and 100 assembly seats in coming elections in Maharashtra. Vaidya also informed that the organization will be contesting six Lok Sabha seats in Vidarbha. The brigade already has claimants for Chandrapur-Wani, Gadchiroli-Chimur, Bhandara-Gondia, Washim-Yavatmal, Akola-Buldhana and Amravati seats, he said.

“We have powerful candidates for Chandrapur and Gadchiroli seats. Sambhaji Brigade believes in giving opportunity to people having clean character. The organization has strong cadre in the two constituencies and will make its own space in politics with good performance in the elections,” Vaidya said.

Vaidya also lashed out at the Union government for its failures on all fronts. He claimed that present politics is dominated by dynastic preference, casteism and racial prejudice. “Sambhaji Brigade will focus on resolving agrarian crisis, providing employment to youth, liquor ban, solution for rising inflation, better public amenities and secular society,” he said.

Replying to a query on division of secular votes at this juncture when opposition parties are uniting against the ruling BJP, Vaidya claimed that Congress has done little for common people during more than five decades of its rule. “It is time to make a fresh start to change the face of politics,” he emphasized.

Vaidya also came down heavily on ruling and opposition parties for clearing 10% reservation for upper castes with a cap of Rs8 lakh creamy layer. He flayed the move and claimed that OBC, Maratha, Dhangar and Muslim communities are struggling for reservation for over two decades. “These communities have staged protests, took out marches and many have laid their lives for the cause, but nobody paid any heed to their voice. Now with elections round the corner, the ruling party with an eye on upper caste votes has announced 10% quota and opposition parties backed the move despite there being no such demand,” Vaidya said.