Special session of Maharashtra assembly to commence today, Maratha quota likely on agenda

Maratha community leader Manoj Jarange Patil. File pic

The Maharashtra government has scheduled a special one-day session of the Vidhan Sabha on Tuesday to resolve the Maratha reservation issue.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde emphasised that the Maratha reservation will be implemented following the law after the report's presentation at the Special session of the Maharashtra Assembly on February 20, reported ANI.

As per the ANI report, the decision to host the session was made at Chief Minister Shinde's weekly Cabinet meeting. The session intends to address the Maratha community's concerns.

"The survey has been conducted on nearly 2-2.5 crore people... Keeping in mind that the OBC community is not left behind in the process, the government will present the report to the cabinet committee. On February 20, we have called a special session of the assembly, after which the Maratha reservation will be given according to the terms of the law," CM Shinde said, per ANI report.

Meanwhile, a note issued by the Chief Minister's office stated, "The cabinet meeting has given its nod to convene a one-day special session of the legislature on Tuesday, February 20, to discuss the various demands of the Maratha community."

According to the report, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil, who is currently on hunger strike in Jalna district, urged for convening special session of Maharashtra Assembly.

In reaction to the next session, Congress president Nana Patole emphasised the importance of opposition participation in the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) to debate the session's activities, expressing concern about the BJP government's unwillingness to follow constitutional procedures, the report added.

"The Maharashtra Assembly session commences tomorrow. The system is that they should call the opposition for BAC and discuss the proceedings of the House. However, the BJP government in the state does not want to follow the constitutional process. So, we came together to form a strategy for the session," Patole told ANI.

Meanwhile, the political landscape in Maharashtra remains fluid as Sharad Pawar challenges the Election Commission's decision to recognise his nephew Ajit Pawar's faction as the 'real' Nationalist Congress Party.

Sharad Pawar has filed a Supreme Court petition challenging the ECI's ruling, claiming that it violates the law. The Supreme Court has ordered the temporary use of the name 'Nationalist Congress Party--Sharad Chandra Pawar' till further notice.

According to affidavits provided, the Election Commission's decision was based on the majority test in the legislative wing, with Ajit Pawar's side receiving more support from MLAs than Sharad Pawar's. As a result, the Ajit Pawar faction was recognised as the authentic NCP.