Chaos over Dhangar, Maratha reservation

Nagpur:pandemonium prevailed in the legislative council on Wednesday over Dhangar and Maratha reservation with Opposition members storming to the well of the house demanding chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’s response.

Raising the issue in the House, Congress leaders of the Opposition, Dhananjay Munde, Ramrao Wadkute, Haribhau Rathod demanded that Fadnavis be present and take up the matter. Wadkute and other members demanded the implementation of reservation for Dhangars.

Munde questioned the government over its promises to the community as several meetings had been held on the issue but the state’s stand is yet unknown.

Subsequently, when Maharashtra minister for tribal welfare, Vishnu Savara started giving his statement, the Opposition bench stormed into the well of the house raising slogans ‘Dhangar aarakshan jhalach pahije’ (We must get Dhangar reservation).

Following the uproar in the council, the house was adjourned for 10 minutes. Education minister Vinod Tawde said that he would urge Fadnavis to reply to the issue later in the day.

Prior to the question hour, Munde demanded a discussion on the proposed 16% Maratha reservation and 5% Muslim reservation under rule 289.

Tawde started speaking on the issue but was unable to continue after the Opposition stormed to the well of the house and started raising slogans. Chairman Ramraje Nimbalkar adjourned the house for 15 minutes amid the ruckus.