Uddhav Thackeray urges all parties to unite over Maratha quota

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday held a all-party meeting and requested the parties to set aside their political differences to fight the legal battle for implementation of Maratha quota in jobs and education.

On September 9, the Supreme Court directed that no quota will be granted to people of the Maratha community in education and jobs in the state this year and referred the hearing on a batch of plea challenging the constitutional validity of a Maharashtra law granting Maratha reservation in education and jobs to a larger bench.

BJP's Devendra Fadnavis, LoP in Council Pravin Darekar, VBA leader Prakash Ambedkar, PWP leader Jayant Patil, Shiv Sangram Party leader Vinayak Mete were among those present along with the cabinet sub committee members and ministers at the meeting, a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said.

Lokbharti Party leader Kapil Patil, Minister of State for Water Resources and Prahar Janshakti party leader Bacchu Kadu were also present, it added.

The chief minister told the party leaders that the Maratha quota bill had been unanimously passed in the state legislature, the statement said.

He said all parties should set aside their political differences and come together to fight to win the case in the Supreme Court, it added.

CM said efforts are being made to ensure Maratha community youths are provided facilities. He also said that legal experts are being consulted for the future course of action.

Fadnavis and Darekar have assured the CM to support in the measures being taken by the government to argue the case in Supreme court, the statement said.