National Desk, 30th October: Amidst ongoing Maratha reservation protests in Beed, Maharashtra, agitators vandalized and set fire to the residence of NCP MLA Prakash Solanke. A video shared by news agency ANI depicted the harrowing scene as the property became engulfed in flames. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries among Solanke’s family members or staff. The MLA, reflecting on the incident, shared, “I was inside my home when it was attacked. Fortunately, none of my family members or staff were injured. We are all safe, but there is significant property loss due to the fire.”
Meanwhile, the Eknath Shinde government in Maharashtra convened a meeting of the Maratha reservation Cabinet subcommittee at Sahyadri State Guest House in Mumbai. Chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the meeting included BJP ministers Chandrakant Dada Patil, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Minister Shambhuraj Desai, Dada Bhuse from Shiv Sena Eknath Shinde faction, and Minister Dilip Walse Patil from Nationalist Congress (Ajit Pawar faction). The discussion revolved around finding a solution to the Maratha community’s demand for reservation in the state.
During the meeting, Justice Sandeep Shinde (retd) examined the statutory and administrative aspects related to granting Maratha-Kunbi and Kunbi-Maratha caste certificates to the Maratha community in Marathwada. Additionally, the meeting addressed the procedure for issuing these certificates after inspection.
Notably, Manoj Jarange Patil, a coordinator for the Maratha Morcha, has been on a hunger strike demanding reservation for the Maratha community. Although extensive talks with the Maharashtra government have taken place, a breakthrough has yet to be achieved. Jarange Patil’s demand is centered on changes to the state government’s ordinance concerning Maratha reservations, and he has pledged to continue the fast until this change is implemented.
In response to the ongoing unrest, opposition parties of the Maha Vikas Aghadi are expected to call on Governor Ramesh Bais, seeking his intervention on the matter. Leaders from the Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP, the Congress, and the UBT Sena are anticipated to meet with the governor today.
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