With six parties in the fray, the BJP-led ruling alliance faces a tightrope walk in the region where the Maratha community is firm on its reservation demand.
The Maratha quota is an old and emotive issue in Maharashtra, which sends 48 MPs to Lok Sabha. Earlier attempts at reservation have failed judicial scrutiny. The quota is a crucial election issue.
"What is the difference between present enactment and earlier enactment that was struck down or is it your argument that it is revalidation of prior Act without removing basis for constitutionality," Justice Kulkarni asked the petitioners.