Maharashtra calls all-party meet on Maratha quota issue

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government has called an all-party meeting on Monday to arrive at a consensus to resolve the Maratha quota stir. Maratha leader, Manoj Jarange Patil, has been on a fast since the last 13 days seeking quota for the Maratha community.

Jarange Patil has asked the state government to immediately issue a Government Resolution (order) that would recognise Marathas in the Marathwada region as Kunbis that would allow them to get reservations under the OBC category.

The Maratha leader has rejected a GR already issued by the Maharashtra government on the quota. He has also rejected another proposed GR by the Maharashtra government that was meant to placate him. “The chief minister has called for an allparty meeting tomorrow (Monday) to arrive at a consensus on the issue of a fast by a Maratha leader seeking reservations for the community… The Kunbi communities are opposed to the Maratha community’s demand to be included as OBCs. Similarly, the OBC community is also opposed to the Maratha community's demand. We are hence calling all the parties for a meet,” said deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar.


Meanwhile, a 'bandh' has been called by a Maratha outfit in Maharashtra's Thane city on September 11 to condemn the recent police lathi-charge against agitators in Jalna. Local leaders from the opposition parties have declared support to the 'bandh' called by Sakal Maratha Morcha.