“Positive discussion”: Maharashtra CM Shinde after meeting with Jalna protesters

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India]: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday night held a meeting with a group of protesters from Jalna in Mumbai, and later said that “there was a positive discussion.”

The meeting was convened after a delegation of protesters from Jalna came and met CM Eknath Shinde in Mumbai.

The protesters have been demanding reservation for the Maratha community.

“There has been a positive discussion with the delegation sent by Maratha agitation leader Manoj Jarange Patil. This delegation will discuss with Manoj Jarange, and we hope that this will find a way,” CM Shinde said while speaking to reporters after the meeting.

Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis, Minister of State for Central Railway Raosaheb Danve, Revenue Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Rural Development Minister Girish Mahajan, MLA Bharat Gogawle, Former MLA Arjun Khotkar, President of Annasaheb Arthik Vikas Mahamandal Narendra Patil, Advocate General Dr Birendra Saraf, Chief Secretary Manoj Saunik along with Additional Chief Secretaries of various departments, Principal Secretaries, Secretaries were also present during the meeting.

On September 1, a clash broke out between police and who were demanding reservations for the Maratha community, with police resorting to a lathi-charge to disperse the demonstrators.

Several Opposition leaders condemned Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led state government for the incident.

Later on September 4, in response to the Jalna Lathi-charge incident and mounting opposition pressure, a cabinet sub-committee meeting on the Maratha reservation, chaired by CM Shinde, was convened at the Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

It was also attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis.