Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar invited BJP MP Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, who is on an indefinite fast seeking a solution to the Maratha reserve issue, for a discussion on Monday morning.
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MP Rajya Sabha has been fasting to death at Azad Maidan in Mumbai since Saturday, demanding a reservation for the Maratha community in addition to a decision on several other demands from the community, including promised welfare schemes by the government.
Sambhajiraje told his supporters on Monday that the state government had invited him for a discussion. “They called me for interviews at the CM’s official residence in Varsha…I am sending the members of the coordination committee to Varsha for interviews. Lay your demands and ensure government approval,” he said.
“We are here to fight for the rights of poor Marathas. If we can resolve the issue through talks, that’s fine,” the MP said, adding, “It’s not in people’s interests to continue this fast indefinitely. After all, my commitment is to elevate OBCs. I also want to live healthy and serve them better… I am a sevak of Marathas. I am also the leader of the OBCs.
The purpose of the protest is to highlight the problems of poor Marathas and propose lasting solutions, Sambhajiraje said. “It’s not a battle of nerves. There’s no room to flaunt our ego. We’re also not playing into the hands of any political party.
Officially, the BJP lent its support to the MP’s agitation.
Sambhajiraje, who has been fasting for 48 hours, was approached by leaders of the ruling NCP-Shiv Sena on Sunday. Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil asked him to end the fast and assured that all his demands, including the Maratha reservation, would be considered positively. Walse Patil also conveyed Sambhajiraje’s message to the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister.
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