Jalna

Prasad Lad on Friday met Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange at Antarwali Sarati village in Maharashtra’s Jalna district and appealed for dialogue to resolve the ongoing quota issue.

The meeting comes amid Jarange’s renewed agitation over reservation for the Maratha community and his announcement of an indefinite hunger strike beginning May 30.

During the interaction, Lad acknowledged that he and Jarange had differences in the past and had publicly criticised each other, but maintained that Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had done more for the Maratha community than any leader in the past several decades.

“There may have been misunderstandings between us. I repeatedly appealed to Dada (Jarange) to understand what Devendra Fadnavis has done for the Maratha community,” Lad said.

He also credited Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for working towards the community’s welfare.

Referring to Jarange’s planned agitation, Lad said the timing was not ideal due to the intense summer, the agricultural sowing season and school vacations.

“I felt May 30 was not the right time to launch the agitation. The government has already taken several steps and I have brought details of the work done,” he said.

Lad clarified that he had come to meet Jarange not as a BJP leader or legislator, but as a member of the Maratha community.

“I became a public representative because of the community. Your movement has brought respect to the Maratha community across the country. I wanted to personally meet you and remove any bitterness you may have against me,” he said.

The BJP leader also offered to mediate between the government and the agitators.

“Can I become your messenger? Can I help resolve the pending issues through my efforts?” Lad asked Jarange during the meeting.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Jarange said he welcomed the meeting and had given Lad an opportunity to convey the community’s demands to the chief minister.

“He wants to resolve the issue. He has assured us that our demands will be fulfilled and we are positive about it,” Jarange said.

The activist reiterated his demand that all Marathas be recognised as Kunbis — a farming community classified under the OBC category — which would make them eligible for reservation in jobs and educational institutions.

Jarange has given the Maharashtra government until May 29 to issue Kunbi caste certificates in the Marathwada region.

Ahead of the meeting, Lad revealed that he had received threatening phone calls over the past few days. He said two persons were detained by police in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in connection with the threats, while another suspect remained absconding.

“The callers said they knew where I was staying and warned that they would not spare me,” Lad told reporters.

He said he had informed police officials in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Beed and Jalna districts about the threats.

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“Whenever we step out for a good cause, someone tries to create obstacles. I came here to speak with Manoj Jarange like a brother,” Lad added.