Withdrawal from poll fray strategic

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarage-Patil said his decision to withdraw from the Maharashtra poll fray was taken in the interest of the community and not under pressure from any leader.

- Surendra P Gangan

In an interview to Surendra P Gangan, he spoke about a range of issues pertaining to the Maratha reservation demand and the November 20 elections. Edited excerpts:

You withdrew from the assembly poll fray all of a sudden. Why?

I realised that other communities such as Dalits and Muslims were not with us. Had we lost by fighting as Marathas, the self-respect of the community would have taken a major hit. It would have been a major setback. The decision to withdraw from the fray was strategic.

You described not fielding any candidates as a guerrilla tactic. How is it so?

Withdrawing from the polls was not a guerrilla tactic. It will begin now and we will show our strength in the near future.

What will be your strategy for the next few days? Will you be campaigning?