Maratha reservation: Shiv Sena MLA tenders resignation

Shiv Sena MLA from Kannad (Aurangabad) constituency, Harshvardhan Jadhav has offered his resignation to Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha speaker amid Maratha community's protest across the state demanding reservation in government jobs and education.

Jadhav sent his resignation via mail and has left for Mumbai to hand over a physical copy to the speaker of Vidhan Sabha.

The quota for Marathas has been a highly contentious issue, with the community comprising of around 30 percent of the state's population.

In 2017, a huge rally was held by the Maratha Kranti Morcha in the same connection in Mumbai.

Besides reservation for the Maratha community, loan waiver, Kopardi rape, unemployment are some of the other issues against which the community is protesting.

Maratha Kranti Morcha has called off their state-wide bandh after staging intensified protests for almost two days.

Earlier today, the protestors set several vehicles on fire and also vandalized public buses in Navi Mumbai's Ghansoli and Wagle estate area of Thane, causing disruption in bus services. They also blocked a local train in Thane.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that the government is ready for a dialogue with Sakal Maratha Samaj.

"Government is always ready for a dialogue with Sakal Marathan Samaj," Fadnavis said.

"Whatever apprehensions Sakal Maratha Samaaj has about the mega recruitment, the same too can be resolved through proper dialogue and an all-acceptable solution can be reached," he added.