Maharashtra ministers Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Friday said the state government is ready to talk with Maratha quota movement leader Manoj Jarange, stressing that his demands are being viewed sympathetically, reported news agency PTI.

However, BJP member of the legislative council Parinay Fuke cautioned against yielding to what he called "unconstitutional demands", saying it would trigger bigger protests by the Other Backward Class (OBC) groups.

Jarange started his agitation at the Azad Maidan in south Mumbai on Friday morning to press for reservation in education and government jobs for Marathas.