Maharashtra govt. in favour of Maratha quota, says CM; pro-quota campaigner urged to call off indefinite fast

Following an all-party meeting, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde confirmed the State government’s support for Maratha reservation

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on November 1 confirmed the State government’s support for Maratha reservation and urged the pro-quota campaigner Manoj Jarange Patil to terminate his indefinite fast.

Emphasising the necessity for Mr Patil cooperation in securing reservation for the community, Mr. Shinde also underscored the call for restraint among the Maratha populace.

Maratha quota agitation | All-party meet on Maratha quota asks activist Jarange to withdraw his indefinite fast

During an all-party meeting on the quota issue spearheaded by the Chief Minister in Mumbai on Wednesday, a collective resolution was passed by all leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Nationalist Congress Party supremo Sharad Pawar, urging 40-year-old Patil, the new poster boy of Maratha agitation, to call off his indefinite fast.

“Maratha should observe restraint. We are in favour of the Maratha quota, but the government needs time for legal modalities to implement the reservation,” Mr. Shinde said.

The resolution also bore the signatures of prominent leaders, including Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Parab, leader of opposition in the State Assembly Vijay Wadettiwar, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee chief Nana Patole, LoP in the Legislative Council Ambadas Danve, among others.

Notably, Mr. Shinde did not invite his nemesis and former CM Uddhav Thackeray for the meeting.