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Fadnavis welcomes Manoj Jarange's move to end fast, says govt accepted 12 of 13 demands
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis welcomed Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange's decision to end his hunger strike, saying the state government had accepted 12 of his 13 demands.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday welcomed Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange's decision to end his hunger strike, saying the state government had already accepted 12 of his 13 demands and would fulfil each of them. He said the remaining demand involved judicial issues, which had been explained to Jarange.
Jarange announced earlier in the day that he was ending his 20-day fast. He also warned that he would take the protest to Mumbai if the Maharashtra government did not consider his demands on Maratha reservation within three months.
Fadnavis was speaking to reporters after attending the flag-hoisting ceremony in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on the occasion of Hyderabad Muktisangram Din, also known as Marathwada Liberation Day.
Asked about Jarange ending his fast, he said, "I am happy that Manoj Jarange called off his hunger strike following our appeal. We have already accepted 12 of his 13 demands. Regarding the remaining demand, we have explained the judicial issues involved."
The Chief Minister said the promises made by the government and by the sub-committee on Maratha reservation would be fulfilled. "The decisions have already been taken, but the administrative issues involved need to be addressed, and we will do so," he said.
He said the government had always taken a positive stand towards the Maratha community and that its doors were always open. "Whether it is me or (Deputy CM) Eknath Shinde, the Maratha community has received the most during our tenure," he said.
Fadnavis also greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday and spoke about programmes planned for the occasion.
"I wish PM Modi on behalf of the people of Maharashtra on his birthday. PM Narendra Modi does not celebrate his birthday, so we have decided to organise various programmes on the occasion. Through 'Seva Saptah', we will serve the people in different ways and ensure that they receive what they need," he said.
On Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's criticism of the Centre over the ongoing UPI-related issue, Fadnavis said Gandhi did not understand the subject and only read out what was given to him. He said the Centre had already issued a clarification on UPI and there was no need to repeat it.
"Those who criticise should know that India has developed the world's largest payment system under the leadership of Narendra Modi. It is being used by several countries. Digital transactions and UPI ensure that subsidies are transferred directly into beneficiaries' accounts, helping to eliminate corruption," Fadnavis said.
He also criticised the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s agitation, which has been under way across Marathwada since September 6 over projects announced for the region but not yet implemented.
"It is the agitation of those who achieved nothing despite getting an opportunity. We have shown what we have done in the past, and we will continue to do so in the future. Earlier, when I said that flood mitigation measures would be brought to Marathwada, they mocked us. But we made it happen, and tenders were floated. The project was approved by the World Bank, and funds were sanctioned," he said.
Fadnavis said the government had also prepared the detailed project report for a proposal to bring water from Konkan.
"I want to ask them (the Thackerays): Who developed the DMIC (Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor)? Who brought investments to the region? Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Jalna have now become an EV magnet for the country. Who made this possible? They can continue opposing us. This is an agitation by blusterers," he added.