Sharad Pawar said that CM Shinde should invite activist Manoj Jarange, who has led the Maratha quota stir in the state, and OBC leaders such as state Minister Chhagan Bhujbal.
| Photo Credit: ANI
A day after Maratha reservation protestors stopped Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar’s convoy and sought his stand on the quota in Solapur’s Barshi town, Mr. Pawar cleared his stance, saying he will support Maratha reservation If the Centre decides to extend reservations beyond the 50% ceiling.
Mr. Pawar has put the ball in the Centre’s court and said, “The power to cross the 50% ceiling on reservation lies with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government at the Centre, and If they decide to extend the limit and provide the quota to Maratha community, will support.”
Four-times Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Pawar opened up on the issue as he faced backlash from the Maratha reservation supporters on Sunday during his visit to Barshi to address a rally ahead of the upcoming State Legislative Assembly poll, expected to be held in October. The protestors waved black flags at him and raised questions about his vague stand on the Maratha reservation. During his sabha, a group of youth raised slogans in the name of Maratha quota leader Manoj Jarange-Patil. Following this, a protest- ‘Jawab Do’ led by Maratha Kranti Thok Morcha, co-ordinator, Ramesh Kere Patil was staged in front of Mr. Pawar’s house in Pune on Monday.
Ramesh Kere Patil slammed the ruling MahaYuti (NDA) and Maha Vikas Aghadi (I.N.D.I.A.) for using the Maratha reservation for their political gains. Mr. Kere Patil pointed out Sharad Pawar being a veteran politician should have taken the initiative and called for the meeting. “If parties don’t clear their stance, we will boycott the assembly election,” said Mr. Kere Patil while lending his support to Manoj Jarange-Patil’s Maratha reservation demand.
Mr. Pawar, explaining the legal complexity of granting reservation, said, “It can not be granted beyond 50%, given the cap of the Supreme Court, all political parties in Maharashtra should come together and urge the Centre for removal of the cap. If the policy is changed, the opposition will cooperate.” Mr. Pawar cited Tamil Nadu’s example, which has reservations beyond 50%, and asked the Mahayuti government to urge the Centre on this issue.
Mr. Pawar also urged Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to conduct an all-party meeting and invite Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil and the Other Backward Classes (OBC) leaders like Chhagan Bhujbal to discuss the reservation issue.
Supriya Sule’s WhatsApp hacked
NCP-SP leader and Baramati MP Supriya Sule’s WhatsApp, an App on her phone, was hacked by hackers demanding $400 through message. Along with her, the NCP-SP’s general secretary Aditi Nalawade’s WhatsApp was also hacked, with hackers demanding Rs. 10,000.
Taking to X (Formerly Twitter), She posted, “Urgent! My phone and WhatsApp have been hacked. Please do not call or text me. I have reached out to the police for help.” For now, her WhatsApp was restored later.
Ms. Sule registered a complaint at Yavat police station, and Superintendent of Police Pankaj Deshmukh has assured of the probe.
While addressing presspersons, Ms.Sule termed the issue “serious” and concerning as it “invades privacy”. “Even if you have nothing to hide, there are family photos, documents, and bank-related information, so be extremely wise and alert while using your phone.”