MVA leaders call on Guv

Thackeray says he will meet PM Modi to take early decision on quota

Days after the Supreme Court struck down Maratha Reservation, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray led a delegation of senior ministers on Tuesday met Maharashtra Governor BS Koshyari and submitted a letter addressed to President Ram Nath Kovind seeking his intervention for providing quota to the community.

Thackeray has urged for an appropriate step be taken, albeit in accordance with law, declared by the Hon'ble Supreme Court, to identify and declare Maratha community as Socially and Educational Backward Class (SEBC) to enable them to claim the reservation in education and public employment at least to the extent of 12% and 13% respectively. The CM has sent similar letter to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention on providing reservation to the Maratha community.

Thackeray in his letter said, “There is no doubt that our State is of the view that despite the 102nd Constitutional Amendment, our State continues to have power, authority and jurisdiction to identify the Maratha community as the SEBC. However, at this stage, such understanding of my State pales into insignificance, in view of the aforesaid authoritative pronouncement of law made by the Hon'ble Supreme Court.”

“Following the Supreme Court's decision of rejecting the Maratha reservation, we all decided to make a request to the Centre in this regard, and accordingly, we have met the Governor today and have taken the first step,” said Thackeray. “The Governor has listened to us and will convey our sentiments to the Centre,” he added. He said he would also meet PM Modi soon over the issue.