Mumbai: Opposition parties have slammed the state government and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis over the alleged failure to contain the ongoing agitation over Maratha reservation.
The Congress alleged that Mr Fadnavis’ “provocative” statements were responsible whereas the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) aimed that the state government’s “casual approach” towards the issue had enraged the community. Meanwhile, communists and other smaller parties said that they had lent their support to the agitation due to the state’s “deceptive attitude”.
Congress state president Ashok Chavan said, “The state government is purposely playing with the emotions of people. Mr Fadnavis’ statement regarding his skipping the Pandharpur pilgrimage was one of the most provocative statements. The government has betrayed the Maratha community in the state. In such a condition, the people’s anger is understandable.” Mr Chavan appealed to people to maintain calm and defeat the BJP model of “divide and rule”.
NCP state chief Jayant Patil said, “The way this government is handling the situation, one can easily question their intentions. The government should have initiated talks with the agitators. Instead of that, the BJP’s attitude towards the issue has been casual. The death of a young protester and the spread of the protest shows the complete administrative failure of the Fadnavis government.”
