A significant internal dispute has emerged within Maharashtra's Maha Yuti government concerning the reservation demands of the Maratha and Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities. This tension escalated following the state government's decision to accept the Maratha community’s demand for reservation under the OBC category, a move that has drawn strong criticism and threats of large-scale protests from OBC leaders and community members who fear their existing quota will be compromised.

Veteran OBC leader and cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal notably skipped a weekly Cabinet meeting, signaling his dissatisfaction with the government's handling of Maratha demands. Sources close to Bhujbal indicated he sent a strong message to the government and warned of a potential legal challenge against the Government Resolution (GR) related to the Hyderabad Gazette, which facilitates Maratha reservation under the OBC category. Bhujbal criticized the GR for its ambiguous language and stated that legal implications are being reviewed, with consideration for approaching the High Court or Supreme Court if necessary.

In response to the growing unrest, the state government formed a nine-member Cabinet sub-committee, led by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule. This panel is tasked with examining the social, educational, and financial status of the OBC community, addressing their grievances, reviewing welfare schemes, and suggesting improvements. Committee members include prominent figures like Chhagan Bhujbal, Ganesh Naik, Gulabrao Patil, Sanjay Rathod, Pankaja Munde, Atul Save, and Dattatray Bharne. The committee is also mandated to deliberate with protesting OBC leaders to resolve their concerns and ensure fair representation in state services and public sector undertakings.

The controversy was further fueled by Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange, who initiated an indefinite fast demanding OBC-category reservation for Marathas through the Hyderabad Gazette. Concurrently, the Rashtriya OBC Mahasangh launched a chain hunger strike at Samvidhan Chowk in Nagpur to oppose the inclusion of Marathas in the OBC category, emphasizing that the OBC quota must remain untouched. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis engaged with OBC protestors and later clarified that no blanket reservation has been granted to the Maratha community under the OBC category.

Chief Minister Fadnavis assured Bhujbal and other OBC leaders that the recent GRs are based strictly on documentary evidence. He clarified that these resolutions are specific to individuals from the Marathwada region who can prove their Kunbi lineage through records in the Hyderabad Gazette, as Kunbi caste is already listed in the OBC category. Fadnavis emphasized that only genuine cases will be eligible, and there will be no misuse of the provision, aiming to clear doubts and prevent misunderstandings. He stressed the government's commitment to inclusive progress, acknowledging the contributions of both Maratha and OBC communities.

Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule reiterated that Kunbi certificates would be issued only to legally eligible Marathas as per Hyderabad Gazette records, assuring that no conflict between the Maratha and OBC communities would arise. Following a meeting with OBC Welfare Minister Atul Save, the Rashtriya OBC Mahasangh called off its hunger strike. However, the sentiment among some OBC leaders remains strong, with Laxman Hake publicly tearing a copy of the GR, calling it unconstitutional and illegal, and accusing political parties of prioritizing Maratha votes, warning of a political boycott against supporters of the Maratha quota agitation.