Maratha quota: Remove Chavan as subcommittee chief, says Mete

Shiv Sangram Party leader Vinayak Mete on Saturday sought removal of Congress minister Ashok Chavan as head of Maharashtra government's subcommittee on Maratha reservation.

Mete, speaking to reporters in Pune, said Chavan was t serious about winning Maratha quota case in Supreme Court.

SC had, on July 15, said it would commence from July 27 day-to-day hearing through video-conferencing on a batch of pleas challenging Maharashtra law granting reservations in jobs and education to Maratha community.

" BJP-Shiv Sena government had offered reservations to Maratha community. However, new government under Shiv Sena is t serious about issue," Mete said.

"Ashok Chavan, who heads cabinet subcommittee on Maratha reservation, does t seem serious about winning case. He should be removed," Mete claimed.

Mete said he would st a one-day protest in front of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, location depending on latter's scheduled visit to Nashik on Sunday, or later in Pune.

Hitting back, Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said Mete's allegations appear to be part of a conspiracy.

"It appears to me that some conspiracy is being hatched to sabot ongoing hearing in Supreme Court.

re are some people with a hidden nda to derail ongoing proceedings by distracting Maratha community," Sawant claimed.

He said Chavan was diligently following up case as head of subcommittee.

Sawant said Mete, an ally of BJP, never uttered a word when previous government under Devendra Fadnavis took three years to submit an affidavit in Bombay High Court on issue. 

(im from PTI)