Congress seeks Governor's intervention in Maratha Reservation matter

Mumbai, July 30: A Congress delegation led by Prithviraj Chauhan met Maharashtra Governor Vidyasagar Rao on Monday and asked the latter to direct the state government to expedite its efforts for providing 16% reservation to Maratha community.

The state has witnessed massive protests by Maratha community over the issue. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday initiated a dialogue with a section of Maratha organisations in Mumbai to pacify the community staging agitations demanding 16 percent reservation in government jobs and education.

Fadnavis has announced to convene a special session of the state Assembly to resolve the issue. But several Maratha groups have refused to make room at the dialogue table and have announced a fresh agitation to push for their demands.

While the Maratha Kranti Morcha Coordination Committee announced a state-wide agitation starting August 1, another outfit, the Maratha Coordination Committee has given a bandh call for Monday (July 30).

In Pune today, police imposed section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code prohibiting the assembly of more than four persons at one place. Police resorted to lathicharge initially, but later used tear gas canisters to control the violent mob.