Jalna, Sep 10 : With the Maratha reservation issue intensifying across the Marathwada region as well as other parts of Maharashtra, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has called an all-party meeting to resolve the issue.
According to sources, the meeting will be held at ‘Sahyadri Guest House’ on Monday, September 11.Earlier on September 7, CM Shinde expressed his commitment to provide reservations to Marathas as the state government renewed its appeal to quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil to end his ten-day fast launched over the issue in Jalna district.However, Jarange-Patil has refused to withdraw the hunger strike. He has threatened to stop drinking water and taking medicines from Sunday onward and demanded stern action against those involved in baton charges against Maratha activists at Antarwali Sarati village.To support Jarange-Patil’s agitation, Maratha activists have started sit-ins, rallies and hunger strikes in different parts of the Marathwada region as well as in other areas of the state.Opposition parties, including Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and the NCP (Sharad Pawar group), have also come down heavily on the state government over the issue.Meanwhile, the OBC and Kunbi associations are strongly opposed to Marathas being given Kunbi certificates and status. They have resorted to demonstrations in the state in support of their stand.
