Two loyalists of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who are Shiv Sena MPs from Nashik and Hingoli in Maharashtra, have resigned in support of the Maratha reservation demand. Hingoli MP Hemant Patil submitted his resignation to the Lok Sabha secretariat in New Delhi, while Nashik MP Hemant Godse sent his resignation letter to CM Shinde.
Patil explained that he had to submit his resignation letter to the office secretary as the Lok Sabha Speaker was not present. He also mentioned that he drafted his resignation letter on the spot and handed it over to agitators in Yavatmal who asked him to clarify his stand on the reservation demand.
In response to a jibe from NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) working president Supriya Sule, who called his resignation a stunt, Patil emphasized that he does not come from the Nehru-Gandhi family and that leaders from privileged families should take the initiative if they are concerned about the Marathas. He added that despite having several leaders from the Maratha community who became chief ministers, the community did not receive any benefits.
In Nashik, Shiv Sena MP Godse drafted his resignation letter when Maratha protesters asked him to clarify his position on the reservation issue. In his letter, Godse acknowledged the efforts of CM Shinde in focusing on the reservation issue after taking oath in front of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s bust at a Dussehra rally. However, he stated that the government failed to solve the reservation issue within the time limit given by quota activist Manoj Jarange, whose indefinite fast for reservation had entered its sixth day.
Godse expressed concern for Jarange’s deteriorating health and resigned as the Member of Parliament, taking into account the strong feelings of the Maratha community.
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