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Journalism of Courage
A DAY after cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal claimed that the Opposition boycotted a meeting convened by state government to discuss the reservation issue after a phone call from Baramati, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said the Opposition ran away from the meeting.
“Though the meeting convened by the state government on the reservation issue was related to Marathas and OBCs, the opposition ran away from it. The government is sensitive towards the issue of reservation but the opposition is avoiding a discussion on it. I think all should come together on such crucial issues and discuss it,” the Chief Minister said in Baramati while on his way to Pandharpur.
The Chief Minister said the state government has taken the initiative to provide 10 per cent quota to the Maratha community without in anyway affecting the OBC reservation. “The matter is now pending before the court. The Justice Shinde Committee is working on issuing Kunbi certificates in Marathwada. The government has received several objections against the demand for giving reservation to ‘sage soyare’ (blood relatives). We discussed all these issues at our meeting which was boycotted by the opposition,” he said.
“Compared to the 2.5-year tenure of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, the Mahayuti government has done much better. We have removed all obstacles which they had created. During my tenure, the industrial growth has received a big boost. My government has launched several welfare measures for the people of the state,” the CM added.
The Chief Minister then left for Pandharpur to review the preparations for the Aashadi Ekadashi. The CM was accompanied by his cabinet colleagues Girish Mahajan and Dada Bhuse.
On Sunday, Bhujbal said NCP (S-P) national chief Sharad Pawar was invited for the meeting convened by the state government to discuss the reservation issue. “I had urged Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar and NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad to attend the meeting. I had also urged them to ask Sharad Pawar to attend the meeting. Everyone was ready to attend the meeting, but I have information that they got a call from Baramati after which the opposition avoided coming for the meeting.
