A Member of Parliament belonging to the Shiv Sena's Shinde faction, representing Hingoli in the Marathwada region, announced his resignation amidst the intensifying Maratha reservation agitation on Sunday.
During a meet at the Vasant Cooperative Sugar Factory in Pophali, a neighboring district of Yavatmal, Patil faced vehement protests from Maratha activists. In response, he penned a letter addressed to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
In his letter, Patil stated, "I am an activist dedicated to the cause of the Maratha community and farmers. I am resigning from my position in support of the reservation issue."
"The matter of Maratha community reservations in Maharashtra has remained unresolved for many years. Given the strong sentiments within the community on this issue, I have been actively working for the Maratha community, particularly for farmers, for several years. I have wholeheartedly supported the reservation movement, and thus, I am resigning from my post," he further expressed.
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Additionally, NCP MLA Atul Benke from Junnar in Pune district is also reported to be considering resigning from his post in support of the Maratha reservation cause. He mentioned his intention to discuss the matter with Maratha organizations and join the agitation after resigning as an MLA during a statement to the media on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the health of Manoj Jarange-Patil is deteriorating, but he has declined to accept medical treatment. His associates reported that he has refrained from consuming water, as directed by doctors. Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje, on the other hand, appealed to Jarange-Patil and other members of the Maratha community not to take extreme measures. He expressed confidence in the community's ability to achieve their reservation goals.
Despite appeals from various quarters to avoid extreme actions, the Maratha youth seem determined to pursue their cause. In Dharashiv (formerly Osmanabad), a group of well-educated young men from the Maratha community resorted to partially burying themselves in the soil while passionately chanting slogans in support of Maratha reservations.
