Internal tensions have escalated within Maharashtra's Maha Yuti government due to an ongoing dispute over Maratha and Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservations. This conflict became particularly evident when veteran OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal skipped a weekly Cabinet meeting, following the state government's decision to accept the Maratha community’s demand for reservation under the OBC category. This move, which has drawn sharp criticism from the OBC community, involves the implementation of the Hyderabad Gazette to facilitate Maratha reservation, specifically for those from the Marathwada region who can prove their Kunbi lineage.

The state government, in an effort to de-escalate the situation and address the growing unrest, 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, reviewing existing welfare schemes, and ensuring fair representation in state services. Members of the committee include Chhagan Bhujbal, Ganesh Naik, Gulabrao Patil, Sanjay Rathod, Pankaja Munde, Atul Save, and Dattatray Bharne. Concurrently, OBC leaders threatened large-scale protests if their existing quota was compromised. The Rashtriya OBC Mahasangh initiated a chain hunger strike in Nagpur, aligning with Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange's indefinite fast in Mumbai demanding OBC-category reservation for Marathas.

Chhagan Bhujbal, a prominent OBC figure within the BJP-led Maha Yuti government, voiced strong dissatisfaction with how Maratha demands were handled, sending a clear message by skipping the Cabinet meeting. He also warned of a potential legal challenge to the Hyderabad Gazette-related Government Resolution (GR), citing ambiguous language and the need to review its legal implications before potentially approaching the High Court or Supreme Court. Security was increased at his residence following his vocal opposition, and OBC leader Laxman Hake publicly tore a copy of the GR, accusing the government of unconstitutional actions and neglecting other communities.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, amid the growing unrest, clarified that no blanket reservation has been granted to the Maratha community under the OBC category. He assured Bhujbal and other OBC leaders that the recent GRs are strictly based on documentary evidence and apply only to those who can prove their Kunbi lineage through records in the Hyderabad Gazette, specifically for genuine cases from the Marathwada region. Fadnavis emphasized that efforts are being made to clear all doubts, stating the government's commitment to inclusive progress and acknowledging the significant contributions of both Maratha and OBC communities to Maharashtra's formation and Swarajya. Following these assurances and a meeting with OBC Welfare Minister Atul Save, the Rashtriya OBC Mahasangh called off its chain hunger strike in Nagpur.

Despite the government's clarifications and attempts at conciliation, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil continued to press for urgent action. After ending his five-day fast, Jarange Patil demanded that the state government implement the new GR to issue Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas before September 17, coinciding with Marathwada Liberation Day. He urged the government to ensure this process starts promptly, deploying necessary manpower and establishing three-member committees at the village level to expedite the issuance of certificates based on the Hyderabad Gazetteer and wherever Hyderabad State records exist. Jarange Patil warned of