Fadnavis must resign for giving false assurances to Marathas on the reservation issue says Narayan Rane.
Former chief minister and Congress leader Narayan Rane launched a scathing attack against Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and demanded his resignation for misleading Marathas over the reservation issue. Rane said that his party will bring a resolution against Fadnavis and no- confidence motion against the state government in the winter session of the state assembly. Thus Rane has upped the ante against the CM and the state government.
“Even though the state government had sought more time to file an affidavit in the Maratha reservation issue, CM Fadnavis had denied. Thus he is only issuing false statements. The state prosecutor informed the court that the affidavit is ready, however it requires verification, for which it sought more time,” said Rane.
“If Fadnavis is lying then he must resign for cheating Marathas by giving false assurances to them. Even though Fadnavis might be known for his clean image but there are 14 tainted ministers in his cabinet. The law and order situation has deteriorated in the state after the BJP government has come to power in the state,” he added.
The protests organised by the Maratha community across the state has already become a huge cause of concern for the state government. Even women and youth have participated in the rally in large numbers. Marathas comprise around 32 per cent of the state’s population.
“The BJP government is not keen on providing reservation to the Maratha community. The government doesn’t seem serious about this issue. What was the government doing for two years after coming to power in 2014? Why they have failed to file an affidavit in the court pertaining to the reservation issue two years back?,” said Rane.
“The government has failed to fulfil the expectations of the people. The presence of ministers like Vishnu Sawra, Sadabhau Khot and Mahadev Jankar has tarnished the image of the government. Despite this the state government gives clean chit to these leaders and no action is taken against them,” he added further.
On the other hand, BJP spokesperson Shaina NC defended Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and said, “The CM is working for the upliftment of Marathas. I am sure better educational opportunities will be offered to Maratha community and social justice will be done to them.”
Maharashtra BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said, “Even though Congress ruled the state for 15 years they did not do anything for Marathas. Now they are raising this issue only to garner political mileage.”
The High Court in its interim order in November 2014 had stayed the government ordinance (passed by the former Congress-NCP ahead of 2014 polls) granting reservation to the Maratha community, stating the community was neither socially nor educationally backward.
The reservation was sought on the grounds of a report submitted by Narayan Rane committee. However, the report was found lacking enough merit
