Maratha agitation: CM Shinde calls all-party meet; Thackeray faction snubbed

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has called an all-party meeting on Wednesday to discuss the situation in the state as the protests over quota by the Maratha community intensified over the last two days. However, a political row erupted over the all-party meeting after the Shiv Sena (UBT) claimed none of their MPs or MLAs received an invite for the meet. 

According to the Chief Minister's Office, Shinde will apprise opposition leaders of the government's plans to handle the situation and seek their support. 

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday alleged that his party MPs and MLAs were invited to the all-party meeting. He said while a party with zero lawmakers were invited to the meeting, his party which has 16 MLAs and 6 MPs was not invited.

Raut's post on X read: "What to do with this government? Even though Maharashtra is on fire, his shameless politics continue. Chief Minister called an all-party meeting on the Maratha reservation. Shiv Sena was not invited to that meeting. Shiv Sena has 16 MLAs and 6 MPs. The case is going on in the Supreme Court. Invitation to those who have one MLA. Those who have no MLA are also invited. We don't want to be pampered. But solve the question. Save the life of Jarange-Patil. The element of extra-constitutional government has been filled. The time of reckoning is drawing near. Jai Maharashtra!"

This comes as the state witnessed violence over the last two days. While state-run bus services have been completely suspended in five Marathwada districts, curfew and internet shutdown have been imposed in parts of Beed.

Jarange convinced?

The Chief Minister's Office has also claimed that Jarange, who started his second hunger strike on October 25, began to drink water after a "satisfactory" discussion with Shinde on Wednesday morning. However, the protesting leader urged the government not to "trouble" Maratha youth who are protesting peacefully. He warned of a "firm response" if peaceful protestors are targeted. Jarange also criticised Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who has said the perpetrators of violence in Beed will face charges under IPC section 307 (attempt to murder).

Jarange, however, reiterated his stance, seeking blanket allotment of Kunbi caste certificates to the Marathas in the Marathwada region. "Don't be selective in granting reservation. Give Kunbi caste certificates to all Marathas. Officials should not distribute these (Kunbi) certificates (as declared by the government). The government should accept the first report of the Justice Shinde committee and convene a special session of the legislature to decide on the Maratha quota," he said.

Meanwhile, over 99 people have been arrested in connection with the violence in Beed. The situation, however, is currently under control. 

Maharashtra's Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Sanjay Saxena visited Beed district to take stock of the situation and will submit a report to the government on Tuesday.

NCP Minister's vehicle vandalised

Maratha quota agitators vandalised Maharashtra cabinet minister Hasan Mushrif's SUV parked in south Mumbai on Wednesday morning, police said. Three persons were detained by the Marine Drive police in this connection, an official said. 

Mushrif belongs to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

At around 7.30 am, two Maratha quota activists armed with wooden sticks attacked the minister's SUV (sports utility vehicle) parked near the Akashwani MLA hostel in south Mumbai. The window panes of the vehicle were damaged. The agitators were raising the slogan "Ek Maratha, lakh Maratha," he said.

Police rushed to the spot and three persons were taken into custody. During the enquiry, it came to light that these persons were from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, the official said.