Senior leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the constituents of the ruling Mahayuti alliance, on Tuesday welcomed the Maharashtra government’s decision to accept several demands raised by Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange, saying the issue was resolved with “sensitivity and dialogue.”

Deputy Chief Minister and NCP President Ajit Pawar said the government had from the beginning taken a “positive and sensitive approach” towards the concerns of the Maratha community, which has been pressing for inclusion under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category for reservation benefits.

“Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and I held continuous discussions to ensure the right decision was taken. Responding to the government’s concrete and positive stand, Jarange decided to withdraw his protest. The government has tried to do justice to the sentiments and expectations of the Maratha community. I heartily congratulate the community for this outcome,” Pawar said in a statement.