Pune: Members and office-bearers of Maratha Kranti Morcha on Saturday unanimously demanded the resignation of state cabinet minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil as chairperson of the state cabinet sub-committee on Maratha reservation.The office-bearers alleged that despite repeated follow-ups, Vikhe Patil had not convened meetings with stakeholders, organisations and various groups working for Maratha reservation. They also claimed that the minister had failed to initiate discussions on issues faced by the Maratha community. “Vikhe Patil should take moral responsibility for the delay in addressing these concerns and resign from the post,” an office-bearer said.Karan Gaikar, a leader of Maratha Kranti Morcha, said Vikhe Patil’s response to the community’s concerns had been disappointing. “We are not happy with Vikhe Patil’s performance as chairperson of the sub-committee. He should not only resign as chairperson but also step down as a minister. If the situation does not improve, Maratha Kranti Morcha plans to hold its next meeting in Shirdi, Vikhe Patil’s home constituency, to raise pending issues related to Maratha reservation,” Gaikar said.Maratha Kranti Morcha works to uplift the Maratha community and advocates reservation for it. The organisation held a state-level meeting of selected members in Pune on Saturday, where several resolutions were passed. It also released a booklet outlining initiatives for students from the Maratha community and schemes launched by state govt for the community, with the aim of reaching out to more people.Rajendra Kondhre, another leader of the outfit, demanded that state govt publish a white paper detailing the status of Maratha reservation, the issuance of Kunbi certificates and other related issues. “The white paper would address doubts within the community and clarify the steps being taken by the govt to provide reservation to Marathas,” he said.
