‘Demand for Maratha CM not our aim, we trust Fadnavis’

MUMBAI: Amid rumours of pressure on the BJP leadership to replace Brahmin chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in the wake of an unprecedented response to their silent processions across the state, a Maratha Kranti Mukmorcha (MKM) convenor on Saturday said that MKM will never demand the CM’s dismissal. “We too heard that ultimately the Marathas will demand replacement of Fadnavis by a Maratha CM.That’s not our aim; we are keen to ensure that the demands raised by Marathas are resolved in a timely manner. In fact, we’re sure only Fadnavis will come to our rescue, we have faith in his leadership,’’ he said.
Asked if there is a plan to meet Fadnavis on the demands of the Marathas, the convenor said that so far there is no proposal to meet the CM, but sooner or later, they will certainly have to interact with the CM.
“When we decide to meet Fadnavis, it should be a final meeting on our demands. We don’t want that when we meet him, he initiates a discussion on the demands, then declares that a committee will be set up to consider the demands. Our organisation feels that whenever there is a meeting, the CM comes with a final road map on our demands,’’ he said.
On the procession in Mumbai, the convenor said once the entire state is covered by October 15, the MKM will take a decision on whether or not to have a morcha in the state capital. “After October 15, all state and district convenors will meet to discuss the strategy for the Mumbai march. We’re sure that the CM will take a positive decision on our demands. If no decision is taken, we will be forced to take out a procession in Mumbai. We expect more than 1crore Marathas to join the march. Alternatively, it has been proposed to resort to chakka jam and bring the entire state to a grinding halt,’’ he said.
The convenor said so far the MKM has been demanding fast-tracking of the Kopardi gang rape and murder case, reservation for Marathas and halt misuse of SC/ST (prevention of atrocities) Act, but now three more demands have been added — compensation of Rs 10 lakh and job to the next of kin of the farmer who commits suicide, Shivaji Memorial in Arabian sea in a time-bound manner and implementation of recommendations of the Swaminathan committee on welfare of farmers.
Regarding SC/ST (prevention of atrocities) Act, the convenor said that the MKM has drafted proposed amendments to the Act to halt its misuse and have been submitted to district collectors across the state. “We have suggested amendments to the Act. As a result, there will be no scope for its misuse. The CM must take it with appropriate authority and ensure that the Act is amended in a time-bound manner,’’ he said.