State Congress head Nana Patole has claimed that Eknath Shinde, the chief minister of Maharashtra, instructed Manoj Jarange, the new face of Maratha reservation, to go on an extended hunger strike.
On Thursday, Jarange broke his fast after 17 days, and Shinde and his cabinet members visited him in Jalna to reassure him of the state’s Maratha reservation. The government declared Saturday’s cabinet meeting at Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar that Marathwada will get development projects worth Rs 45,000 crore.
To deflect attention from the I.N.D.I., Patole said in a media interview in Nagpur.Jarange was requested to participate in a hunger strike on August 31 during a meeting in Mumbai. The state’s home minister issued instructions for lathicharges against the demonstrators on September 1 in the late afternoon. It was done to divert attention from the summit in Mumbai. It is now obvious that the administration intended to incite conflict between two populations with the lathicharge, for which the state’s home minister extended an apology.
The claims made by Patole are expected to spark a political debate in the state.
Patole said that the Congress’ position on the reserve is quite clear. “Justice should be served to the less fortunate. Caste-based censuses should be used instead of stealing their reservation rights. OBCs should get 27% quota, while Marathas and Dhangars should receive additional reservation by going over the 50% cap.
