Maratha Quota Creates Political Stir: NCP, Sena (UBT), Cong MLAs Lock Mantralaya Bldg, Protest on Stairs in Mumbai

Even as Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s all-party meeting at Sahyadri over the Maratha reservation issue is on amid the ongoing stir by activist Manoj Jarange, 21 Members of Legislative Assembly (MLA) and Members of Legislative Council (MLC) from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) (both factions), Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and Congress held a protest at the Mantralaya in Mumbai on Wednesday in support of the quota.

Among those participating were NCP’s Nilesh Lanke and Amol Mitkari, Shiv Sena UBT’s Kailas Patil and others. The group also locked the main gate of Mantralaya building, while shouting slogans: ‘Marathas should get reservation’ and ‘Maratha reservation is our right’.

MAHA MLAs, MLCs DETAINED

Speaking to the media, NCP Ajit Pawar faction leader and MLC Amol Mitkari said, “The Women’s reservation bill was passed in special parliament session, so another session should be called to resolve this issue. Our government had sought 40 days to give clarity on this issue, but as the deadline has passed, the final decision should be taken as early as possible."

MLA Kailas Patil said, “This government should take serious cognisance of the protests happening in the state. It should ask the Centre to call for a special session of the assembly and clear the path of Maratha reservation."

They locked up the main gate of the Mantralaya building, stating that till the government takes a final decision and gives reservation to Marathas, they would not allow the Mantralaya to function. Ministers Anil Patil and Sanjay Bansod reached Mantralaya to pacify the members, asking them to be patient as the meeting was underway and a positive outcome was expected. However, the protesting MLAs and MLCs refused to budge. The police then intervene and detained them.

This is the second day of MLA agitation at different places in Mumbai over the Maratha reservation issue. Another set of MLAs — Rohit Pawar, Jitendra Awhad, Shashikant Shinde from NCP, and Vilas Potnis from Shiv Sena UBT — were also protesting on the staircase of the state Assembly.

A delegation of NCP leaders has also sought an appointment of State Assembly speaker Rahul Narverkar with a demand to call a special session of assembly on the issue. Speaking to News18, NCP MLA and former minister Jitendra Awhad said, “We have no hopes from this government as they have played with the community’s emotions. So we are protesting here."

MARATHA RESERVATION DEMAND

Jarange has been on a fast since October 25 at his Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district to demand reservation for Marathas in government jobs and education under the Other Backward Class (OBC) category. “You have Tuesday night and Wednesday, after that I will stop taking water," Jarange has said in his ultimatum to Shinde.

Meanwhile, incidents of violence were witnessed in many parts of the state in the past few days.

State-run bus services have been suspended in five Marathwada districts, while curfew and Internet shutdown were imposed in parts of Beed, where the houses of political leaders were targeted by protesters on Monday.

The CM has urged people not to resort to violence and also asked political parties to avoid indulging in any activities that would worsen the situation.

The Maharashtra government published an order on Tuesday asking officials concerned to issue fresh Kunbi caste certificates to eligible Maratha community members, paving the way for them to avail reservation benefits under the OBC category.