Sena meets CM over special session on Maratha reservation

MUMBAI Shiv Sena ministers on Friday met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to formally request a special session of the state legislature to discuss the Maratha community’s demand for reservations in government jobs and education.

“The CM took a positive stand. He said he will call a meeting of group leaders to discuss the Sena’s demand for a separate session of the legislature,” said Shiv Sena minister Diwakar Raote. Senior Sena minister Subhash Desai said, “All parties can come together with one stand if we have a legislative session to discuss the Maratha reservation issue. The state can pass a resolution and effectively push for the demand at the Centre.” It was largely silent on the ongoing protests, but the Sena has been stating its solidarity after facing flak for a cartoon in its mouthpiece Saamana earlier this week, lampooning the protests. This led to backlash from the community and all political parties, with the Sena being isolated as ‘anti Maratha’. The party faced internal trouble too, with four or five MPS and MLAS from Marathwada threatening to resign. The party has since been on an overdrive to make amends. The state hasn’t been able to break the logjam of the protests. While Fadnavis has said he is willing to talk with protesters, the organisers claim it has no leaders who can negotiate. They expect the state to announce support for their demands, including reservation and reviewing the Atrocity Act. It is likely Fadnavis will take the Sena up on this demand to show his government is taking the community seriously.