The Congress has questioned the absence of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis during Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s visit to meet Maratha quota agitator Manoj Jarange. Jarange, who had been on a hunger strike since August 29 demanding reservations for the Maratha community, ended his strike at around 11:15 am by accepting juice from Shinde. Shinde, along with ministerial colleagues, reassured Jarange of the government’s commitment to providing quotas. Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe expressed concern over Fadnavis’s absence, highlighting that when the CM meets, it signifies government involvement. He raised questions about Fadnavis’s support for Shinde’s promise and why he didn’t accompany the CM. “When the CM goes to meet him it means the entire government is there. But the question is why didn’t Deputy CM Fadnavis, who is the leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the biggest party in the ruling dispensation, go with Shinde,» Londhe questioned.
Londhe also pointed out that during Shinde›s visit to persuade Jarange to end his hunger strike, Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar initiated disqualification hearings against some legislators. The outcome of these hearings could impact Shinde›s position as CM. He emphasized that Fadnavis should ensure the BJP stands by Shinde›s promise to Jarange.
Londhe clarified the Congress›s stance on providing reservations to the Maratha community without affecting the benefits of Other Backward Classes. The disqualification petitions between rival Shiv Sena factions led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his predecessor Uddhav Thackeray are also under discussion.