NCP’s Rohit Pawar suspends Yuva Sangharsh Yatra, says Maharashtra is facing unrest, youth unhappy

“The yatra was for the youth, for their better future and for questions related to them. We are witnessing youth suicides. It is important, against the background of the fast announced by Jarange-Patil, to maintain peace and avoid further tension. We have suspended the yatra for the time being…,” he said at a press conference in Nirvi village in Pune district.

Pawar was to walk from Pune for the next 45 days to Nagpur, covering over 800 km—830 villages in 28 tehsils in 10 districts.

He said the situation in Maharashtra would have improved had Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoken at least two assuring lines to the Maratha youth protesting for reservation. “It is extremely unfortunate that the CM and the deputy CM visit one of the most powerful people in the country in Delhi and do not even discuss burning issues,” he said.

Pawar denied the yatra was suspended for fear of people boycotting politicians. “Maharashtra is facing unrest and the youth are not happy. How can we go ahead without addressing it? We have not stopped it fearing a boycott. We are concerned about Maharashtra and its youth,” he said.

Pawar said the state government should call a special Assembly session in the next two days to address the reservation issue. “PM Modi held a special session to show the new Parliament building to everyone. Now when Maharashtra is burning, it is important that an Assembly session should be convened,” he said.

He accused the state government of discussing a cabinet expansion and ignoring people’s problems.