Mumbai: Maharashtra minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has said the state government stands firm on granting reservation to the Maratha community without disturbing quota for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
His remarks come amid a stir launched by activist Manoj Jarange seeking 10 per cent reservation to the Maratha community under the OBC grouping.
Jarange set out for Mumbai with hundreds of supporters on Wednesday, demanding the reservation.
In response to Jarange’s plans to travel to Mumbai with supporters for demonstrations advocating the quota demand, Bawankule reiterated the government’s position.
Additionally, addressing concerns over crop losses due to heavy rainfall, Bawankule confirmed that damage assessment reports have been completed and relief measures for affected farmers will be initiated shortly. He noted that Chief Minister Fadnavis has instructed all guardian ministers to oversee the situation in their respective districts.
When questioned about the meeting between MNS chief Raj Thackeray and his cousin Uddhav Thackeray during the Ganesh festival, Bawankule clarified that it should not be interpreted politically, describing it as a family gathering.
