‘Join protests or leave community’
MUMBAI:TO build pressure on the government, Maratha outfits are pushing elected representatives from the community to resign from their posts. They have warned elected representatives – participate in the protest or leave the community.
So far, eight legislators from different parties have announced their resignation to support the demand for Maratha reservation in jobs and education.
The move is likely to result in more elected representatives quitting in coming days. The Sakal Maratha Samaj, umbrella body of Maratha outfits, has also called for a statewide meeting on Sunday to discuss their plan to intensify the agitation. On Friday, Congress MLA Amit Jhanak from Risod constituency in Washim district announced his resignation. Jhanak, also a Maratha, said some 150 elected representatives from the district gave mass resignations supporting the agitation. “The decision was taken following a request by the action committee of the Maratha Kranti Morcha in the district. Those who tendered their resignations include elected representatives from cooperative societies, cooperative banks, panchayat samitis, zilla parishads and other such institutions. Not all are Marathas,” Jhanak said.
On Thursday, five legislators — Dattatray Bharne and Ramesh Kadam from NCP, Seema Hire and Rahul Aher from BJP and Bharat Bhalke from Congress – announced that they were resigning from their positions. This is in addition to the resignations declared by Harshvardhan Jadhav (Shiv Sena) and Bhausaheb Patil Chikatgaonkar (NCP) two days ago. Bharne belongs to the Dhangar community.
However, Assembly speaker Haribhau Bagde said he has received only one resignation so far. “I have heard a few legislators have offered to resign, but so far I have received the resignation of Harshvardhan Jadhav [Shiv Sena MLA from Kannad in Aurangabad district].”
Bagde said the MLAS will continue to hold office till the winter session of the Maharashtra Assembly. “As per the rules, MLA has to read out his resignation to me. Only after that I can hand over resignation to the Election Commission informing them that a seat is now vacant,” he said.
Officials from the legislature said resigning from positions doesn’t mean the resignations have been accepted. “The Speaker also has to follow a procedure, in which he will interact with the legislator and ensure he or she is resigning voluntarily and not under pressure,” said a senior official.
“We have called for a meeting of all coordinators on Sunday,” said advocate Uday Gaware, coordinator, Latur district. “We are asking elected representatives to join the protest.”
Chikatgaonkar, an MLA from Vaijapur constituency, Aurangabad district, said, “I came to Mumbai only to tender my resignation.” “Being a Dhangar, I believe their demand for reservation is valid,” Bharne said. Kadam is in jail over charges of misappropriation of funds.
Inputs from Swapnil Rawal