Two Shiv Sena & BJP MPs openly back call for Maratha quota

CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: Shiv Sena MP Hemant Patil announced on Sunday his intention to resign in solidarity with the Maratha community's demand for reservation under the OBC category.
"For many years, the issue of Maratha reservation has remained unaddressed," the MP representing Hingoli constituency said, while claiming that he will present the resignation letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker to draw national attention to the issue.
Latur BJP MP Sudhakar Shrangare also extended his support, writing to chief minister Eknath Shinde and the two deputy chief ministers, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar. "I extend my full support to the Maratha community and want the state government to give them a legally lasting reservation," he said.
These developments follow recent reports of villages prohibiting the entry of politicians and instances of their vehicles being targeted with stones, alongside online abuse.
Patil made his decision after encountering resistance from Maratha community members in Hingoli. "Vehicles of politicians are being damaged and stones are being pelted," he said.
In response to the ongoing agitation, Fadnavis urged Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike since October 24, to prioritise his health. "I request Jarange to not put his health at risk and have faith in the promise made by CM Shinde," he said.
Government's heart will stop with mine: Activist
Maratha reservation activist, Manoj Jarange, visibly weak on the 5th day of his hunger strike on Sunday, warned that if his heart stopped, so would the state government's, reports Mohammed Akhef. "I feel I will only be able to talk today and tomorrow. Nobody will stop them (government representatives) from coming here to talk. After I am unable to speak, there will be little use in the government coming to talk to me...," he said.
He also warned that the 3rd phase of the agitation, scheduled to start in 2 days, would make things even tougher for the state government.
(Inputs from Abhishek Choudhari in Nagpur)