Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday said that his party MPs and MLAs have not been invited to the all-party meeting called by the Maharashtra government to discuss the ongoing Maratha reservation protest in the state. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Raut claimed that only one leader, Ambadas Danve, Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Council, has been called to the meeting.
A meeting of the state cabinet has been called on Wednesday after the protests turned violent and agitators burnt tyres halting traffic on the Pune-Bengaluru highway.
Raut shared a letter and said their party president Uddhav Thackeray had not been invited to the all-party meeting called by CM Eknath Shinde. He said politics was being done in Maharashtra even though the state was going through a tough time. He said the invitation has been given to those who have no MLAs or only one, but Shiv Sena (UBT) with 16 MLAs and six MPs has not been called for the meet.
"What to do with this government? Even though Maharashtra is on fire, his shameless politics continues. Chief Minister called an all-party meeting on Maratha reservation. Shiv Sena was not invited to that meeting. Shiv Sena has 16 MLAs and 6 MPs. The case is going on in the Supreme Court. Invitation to those who have one MLA," Raut wrote in a Marathi.
"Those who have no MLA are also invited. But Shiv Sena is in the eye. Ambadas Danve is invited as the Leader of Opposition. We don't want to be pampered. But solve the question. Save the life of Jarange Patil. The element of extra-constitutional government has been filled. The time of reckoning is drawing near," he added.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Maharashtra government announced that it will begin action on the long-standing demand of the Maratha community for Kunbi caste certificates, which make them eligible for reservation in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.
Samant told ABP Live, "All Shiv Sena MPs and MLAs have expressed their confidence in Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and extended their support to provide reservation for the Maratha community."
Reacting to the announcement, activist Manoj Jarange said the Maratha community will not accept "incomplete reservation," and the Maharashtra government should summon a special session of the state legislature on the subject. He threatened to stop drinking water on Wednesday evening if the Maratha group was not given the "complete" quota. He also warned the administration not to "trouble" peacefully demonstrating Maratha youngsters, or else a severe response would be delivered.