Govt to set up group of ministers for dialogue with Marathas

MUMBAI: A rattled state government on Monday once again signalled its willingness for a dialogue by setting up an empowered group of ministers and opposition leaders to hold talks with Maratha community leaders.

HT Image

The move came as the BJP issued a clarification in the face of speculation that Devendra Fadnavis may be replaced as CM in the face of the silent protests.

The clarification came from one of the possible candidates to replace him, Public Works Minister Chandrakant Patil, a Maratha leader considered close to party president Amit Shah.

A day after Fadnavis reiterated that the government was committed to granting reservation to Marathas, Patil said the government was open to dialogue.

The government has appointed a battery of lawyers and gathered historical evidence to strengthen the legal case for quota for Marathas, he said.

“We have always been willing to speak to the organisers of the Maratha marches, but have not got a response. We told them to form a group for talks on their demands,” Patil said.

Patil also clarified that his party does not believe in removing the CM.

However, the Opposition may not buy into this offer by the government.