India, Sept. 1 -- Leaders from the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliances have started blaming each other for driving a wedge between Marathas and Other Backward Classes (OBCs), with an eye on reaping benefits in the upcoming local body polls.

"The Mahayuti government just wants to create conflict between Marathas and OBCs," NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad alleged on Sunday while speaking to reporters. "This government knew about agitations, and deliberately allowed Marathas to come into Mumbai so that it could defame them and blame them for traffic jams and chaos."

Manoj Jarange-Patil, who is leading the agitation seeking reservation benefits for Marathas under the 27% OBC quota, has been on an indefinite h...