NCP leader Supriya Sule has squarely placed blame on Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for the recent police crackdown on Maratha quota protesters in Jalna. She asserted that both the state and Union governments are not demonstrating the necessary seriousness regarding the reservation issues affecting various communities. During a press conference, she called upon the Central government to convene a special session of Parliament to address the reservations matter. The police resorted to baton charges and tear gas on September 1 to disperse a volatile crowd at Antarwali Sarathi village in Jalna. This incident occurred when demonstrators allegedly obstructed authorities from transferring a hunger-striking activist advocating for Maratha quota demands to a hospital. The clashes resulted in numerous injuries, including 40 police personnel, and saw over 15 state transport buses set ablaze.
Sule criticized the government’s handling of reservations, mentioning Marathas, Lingayats, Muslims, and Dhangars as communities facing unresolved issues. She reminded that deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis had previously discussed resolving the Dhangar reservation issue but seemingly overlooked it.
Addressing the situation, Sule, the working president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), declared, “The police lathi-charged protesters in Jalna for which Fadnavis, who holds the Home portfolio, is responsible. The Union government must convene a special session of Parliament to find a solution to the issue of reservations.”
Interestingly, Fadnavis had expressed regret earlier in the week for the police’s use of force against Maratha quota protesters in Jalna.
Sule also highlighted the plight of farmers enduring distress due to a lack of rainfall, resulting in a scarcity of cattle fodder. She criticized the government for not providing adequate relief to address these issues.
Furthermore, Sule took a jab at the state government’s ‘Shasan Aplya Dari’ (government at your doorstep) initiative, suggesting that what prevails is “ED and CBI (central probe agencies) at your doorstep,” referring to cases against several opposition leaders. She asserted that the Centre is apprehensive about the opposition INDIA bloc and hinted that this fear has led to speculation about changing the country’s name. Addressing the state of the NCP, Sule affirmed that there is no division within the party. Sharad Pawar continues to serve as its national president, and Jayant Patil remains the state unit chief. This statement comes in light of Ajit Pawar and eight NCP MLAs joining the Eknath Shinde government on July 2.
