Mumbai, Nov 3 – Prakash Solunke, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA representing the Majalgaon Constituency, addressed a press conference on Thursday, shedding light on the pre-planned attack on his residence in Majalgaon amidst the ongoing Maratha reservation protests.
Expressing his commitment to securing reservation for the Maratha community, Solunke condemned the attack, labeling it as premeditated. He highlighted his active participation in the movement for the past two months, emphasizing the collective effort to ensure Maratha reservation.
Solunke revealed that besides Maratha community members, individuals from other castes were involved in the attack. Alleging the presence of people engaged in illegal activities and political opponents, Solunke claimed that some teachers were part of the aggressive crowd of around 300 people armed with weapons, stones, and petrol bombs, intending harm.
The Maratha reservation issue has intensified over the past two months, with widespread protests and unrest across the state. Beed district, where Solunke’s constituency is located, has witnessed critical situations.
Manoj Jarange Patil, leading the reservation cause since 2011, was acknowledged by Solunke as a dedicated and honest figure within the Maratha society. Solunke urged the government to provide a time-bound program for Maratha reservations and disclose their plans.
As of now, 21 arrests have been made based on CCTV footage, with eight additional accused identified beyond the Maratha community. State General Secretary Shivajirao Garje, State Spokesperson Sanjay Tatkare, and General Secretary Latif Tamboli joined Solunke in the press conference.
