Sena wants Munde to become Maharashtra-CM to clear Maratha-quota file
What's the story
Taking a dig at Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, the Shiv Sena today said that his cabinet colleague Pankaja Munde should be made the CM for at least an hour to clear the Maratha reservation file.
Munde, who is the Rural Development Minister, over the Maratha reservation issue, had recently said that she would not have delayed the decision if she was in charge.
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Here is what Munde said about the issue
"Had the file of Maratha reservation been on my table, I would not have delayed it even for a moment. This issue is being delayed as it is pending in the High Court," Munde had said in Parli in Maharashtra's Beed district.
'Saamana'
Sena asks if Munde can request PM why can't Fadnavis?
In an editorial in party mouthpiece "Saamana", the Shiv Sena said Munde's statement, in other words, means the government was only dilly-dallying on the issue.
"Pankaja Munde's stand needs to be understood. There is no reason to believe that she will play politics over the issue. If she can request the PM to intervene, why can't Fadnavis do that as well?" it asked.
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Sena also slammed Modi for his frequent abroad visits
Sena taunted PM Modi saying he is usually not in Delhi and has no interest left in India's affairs. "Even if the CM goes to Delhi for resolving the Maratha issue, it is difficult to find the PM as he is mostly abroad," it said.
Crushing Protests
Sena says crushing protests is the policy of government
The Sena said that crushing protests is the government's policy.
"The Patel quota agitation in Gujarat was crushed. Serious charges like sedition were slapped against Hardik Patel and he was sent to jail. The government might have used the same method to crush the Maratha agitation in Maharashtra. However, here the entire Maratha community is leading the protest," the Saamana editorial piece said.
Maratha protests
Maratha protests turned violent after protester committed suicide in Aurangabad
Marathas, a politically influential community that constitutes around 30% of Maharashtra's population, have been demanding a 16% reservation.
The community had earlier taken out silent marches across the state. The stir, however, turned violent earlier this week with the protesters pelting stones, torching vehicles, and blocking roads, after a 27-year-old protester from Aurangabad jumped to his death in Godavari river on July 23.