Maratha Reservation Row: Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) MP Sanjay Raut has said it is the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) that has to take the initiative to resolve the Maratha quota issue and asked if the PM Narendra Modi-led government would bring any proposal to get this passed in parliament during December's winter session. Raut alleged that the all-party meeting chaired by CM Eknath Shinde was futile, adding that a constitutional amendment can give the people of the Maratha community the reservation they are asking for.
"...The Maratha community from the whole of Maharashtra is supporting Manoj Jarange Patil... Nothing came out of the all-party meeting... A constitutional amendment is to be done to give Maratha reservation... For this, a Lok Sabha session will have to be called, and the proposal of a constitutional amendment will have to be kept," he said, as quoted by ANI.
"For this, BJP leaders will have to take the initiative because PM Modi is the Prime Minister. Why do the BJP leader and Maharashtra CM not say anything on this? ... Will the Modi government bring any proposal related to this in the winter session in December?..." Raut further added.
This comes after activist Manoj Jarange ended his nine-day indefinite fast for the Maratha reservation on Thursday, news agency PTI reported. Jarange broke his fast by drinking juice, but not before threatening to organise a major march to Mumbai if no decision is made by December 24. His remark came at the fast site in his hamlet in Jalna district after four state ministers visited with him and asked him to end his extended hunger strike.
"I will not enter my home until all Marathas are given reservation," he declared after ministers convinced him to break off his fast.
ALSO READ | Maratha Quota Row: Dharashiv Man To Return Kunbi Caste Certificate, Says 'Govt Keeping My Brothers Hungry'