Pune
NCP (SP) Working President Supriya Sule on Monday criticized the BJP for repeatedly blaming her father, Sharad Pawar, on the Maratha reservation issue despite holding power in Maharashtra and at the Centre. She said it was “funny” that a party with over 300 MPs and a majority in the state still turns to Pawar whenever pressure mounts.
Sule pointed out that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had earlier spoken in the Assembly about how Maratha reservation could be granted. “You are in power now, implement those measures,” she urged, while demanding an all-party meeting, a Cabinet decision, and a special legislature session to resolve the matter within 24 hours.
Her comments came a day after Maratha activists gheraoed her following her meeting with protest leader Manoj Jarange-Patil, who is on an indefinite fast. Activists questioned why Pawar had not granted reservation during his four terms as chief minister. Sule responded that as a public representative, it was her moral duty to listen and address people’s concerns.
She also highlighted the poor conditions at Azad Maidan, where Jarange-Patil is fasting, citing heavy rains, lack of electricity, and sanitation issues. Sule urged the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation and state government to improve facilities and immediately release the list of groups providing logistics to the protestors.
Accusing the government of failing to maintain law and order, Sule said no senior ministers had visited the protest site. She added that officials were doing their part, but the state must step in. She also noted that OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal’s involvement reflected the government’s inability to manage the situation.
