Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, May 28: Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange has announced that he will launch an indefinite hunger strike from May 30 at Antarwali Sarati after the Maharashtra government allegedly failed to respond to his demands despite recent talks with BJP leaders.
Jarange said he would sit on an indefinite fast in the scorching heat at Antarwali Sarati, intensifying the agitation over the Maratha reservation issue once again.
The announcement comes six days after a prolonged meeting held on May 22 between Jarange and BJP MLA Prasad Lad, who is considered a close confidant of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The discussions reportedly focused on the pending demands related to Maratha reservation and government assurances given during previous rounds of protests.
However, according to Jarange, no concrete response or proposal has been received from the state government even after the meeting, prompting him to resume agitation.
Jarange has been spearheading the Maratha reservation movement in Maharashtra and has repeatedly demanded reservation benefits for the Maratha community under the OBC category. His earlier hunger strikes and protests had triggered massive political pressure on the state government and led to several rounds of negotiations.
Meanwhile, the ruling Mahayuti alliance is also facing internal tensions over seat-sharing arrangements for the upcoming elections to 17 Maharashtra Legislative Council seats linked to local self-government bodies.
Sources said disagreements have emerged among alliance partners BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP factions over allocation of constituencies, creating a political deadlock ahead of the polls.
Apart from the political developments, Maharashtra is also facing fuel supply concerns, with several districts reporting shortages of petrol and diesel. Long queues were seen at fuel stations in some areas amid uncertainty over supply restoration.
The state is simultaneously battling intense summer conditions, with Vidarbha region witnessing severe heatwave-like temperatures. Several districts have recorded extremely high daytime temperatures, making outdoor activities difficult for residents.
Officials said authorities are monitoring both the fuel supply situation and weather conditions closely.