After indulging in pro-reservation posturing for several months, Maratha reservation crusader Manoj Jarange-Patil on Monday withdrew from the fray of the State Assembly polls.

After he withdrew organisation Shivba Sangathana from the poll fray, Jarange-Patil repeatedly clarified that he was not doing a U-turn nor had he taken the decision under any pressure.

Talking to media persons his village Antarwali Sarati in the Jalna district in Marathwada region, Jarange-Patil said: “We held meeting till 0330 hrs in the morning. Ultimately we decided not to contest the Assembly pollss….People may use their own discretion --whom to defeat, whom to elect. But, we want the people to remember those who had worked against our cause,” Jarange-Patil

Jarange-Patil said that his campaign demanding reservations for Maratha community would continue.

On Sunday, Jarange-Patil shortlisted eight seats for contesting and half a dozen seats for attempting defeat of sitting MLAs, but in 24 hours changed the decision.

Jarange-Patil said that it was impossible to win elections depending on the votes of one community. “However, without the help of Maratha community no one can win elections…I told the Maratha community that this is not our family business, we might be misled,” he said  Jarange-Patil also admitted that his other allies, comprising Muslims and Dalit communities did not submit their lists of candidates as another reason for his unexpected retreat.

 Jarange-Patil said that he would not extend support to any Independent candidate or political parties, nor would direct the Maratha community to defeat candidates. “I do not want to direct the Maratha community to defeat any candidates. The community has to take a decision in this regard,” he said.

Jarange-Patil’s decision to withdraw from the election is expected to benefit the MVA comprising Congress, Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) and Uddhav Thackeray-headed Shiv Sena (UBT) as it would prevent the division of anti-BJP votes.

It may be recalled that the BJP-led ND had suffered badly due to lack of adequate support from the Marathas in the recent Lok Sabha polls, in which the Opposition put up an impressive performance in the state.

During the recent weeks, Jarange-Patil was approached for support by Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi founder Prakash Ambedkar and Parivartan Mahashakti - which includes Swaraj founder Yuvraj Sambhaji Raje Chhatrapati, a descendent of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, Bacchu Kadu, the founder of Prahar Janshakti and Raju Shetti of Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana.

However, Jarange-Patil did not lend his organisation’s support.