CM Eknath Shinde warns Jarange to not test government's patience, otherwise face strict actions

CM Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM`s Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar on Sunday. Pic/Satej Shinde

After the Maratha activist Manoj Jarange on Sunday made accusations that Maharashtra's Deputy chief minister is trying to kill him and sabotaging the Maratha community's protest for reservation, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde slammed Jarange for making wild allegations and testing government's patience.

Shinde was speaking at a press conference arranged ahead of state's budget presentation. Both the deputy chief ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar who were present with Eknath Shinde also crticised Manoj Jarange for making aggressive comments and using slang language against Fadnavis.

"Those who are protesting again and again despite the government announcing the 10 per cent reservation to Marathas, must not test our patience. The protestors should not create a law and order problem in the state," urged the CM. Shinde also warned Jarange to not break any law, otherwise strict actions will be taken against him or anyone thinking they are above laws.

Eknath Shinde also took a jibe at the oppositions saying," I wonder why Jarange's speech looks like the script generally used by Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray."

While, deputy CM, Ajit Pawar said that Jarange should maintain some dignity and not use inappropriate words. Earlier in the day, Fadnavis had said the state government has a fair idea about the people behind Jarange, adding that details would come out at an appropriate time.

The on-going protest for Maratha reservation took an aggressive turn on Sunday, when the activist Manoj Jarange announced that he would march to Mumbai and protest outside Devendra Fadnavis; official residence 'Sagar bunglow' at Malabar Hill, Mumbai. Addressing a gathering at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district, Jarange claimed that Fadnavis was trying to defame him by roping in people to malign his image.

"Some people are being lured and pressured to make false allegations against me. Fadnavis is behind these conspiracies. He wants to kill me", Jarange accused.

He was however, stopped by police authorities from marching to Mumbai. But Jarange, who is on hunger strike, was firm on protest outside Fadnavis' residence. The announcement has led to a chaos at the site, where the activist's supporters had gathered in large numbers.

Meanwhile, Fadnavis said it is his official residence and anyone with any kind of work can visit it.

Earlier this week, the Maharashtra legislature unanimously passed a bill providing 10 per cent reservation for the Marathas in education and government jobs under a separate category, but Jarange is firm on his demand for quota for the community under the Other Backward Class category.