Kolhapur: Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Sunday said there is a need to appoint a fresh commission to look into Maratha reservation, and alleged that activists like Manoj Jarange, who are demanding reservation under the OBC quota, do not fully understand the issue.The government is trying to find a way out. No communitys reservation should be hurt. There is a large section of the community that is very poor, and such people must get the reservation benefits. There is a need to appoint a fresh commission. Pleas regarding the issue were dismissed by the court. Jarange is not understanding the issue and, therefore, protests have started in the state. Chief minister Eknath Shinde has called an all-party meeting on Monday to hear their views,Ajit said while addressing the Uttardayitva Sabha at Tapovan ground in Kolhapur.Addressing a public meeting for the first time after assuming charge as deputy CM, Ajit Pawar referred to former CM Yashwantrao Chavan to justify his decision to join the Shinde-Fadnavis government. We joined the government to ensure the welfare of bahujans. We are under pressure to complete the works started under the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government. When Uddhav Thackeray resigned as CM, many NCP legislators had sought permission from our leader (Sharad Pawar) to join the NDA. If this is wrong, I will quit politics. However, if I am right, the people targeting us should quit politics, the deputy CM said.He said NCP ministers, by being a part of the state government, will foil any plan that is aimed at disturbing the social fabric of Maharashtra. Recently, Kolhapur witnessed communal violence and it was alleged that the perpetrators were supporters of parties in power. We will ensure such incidents do not occur, he added. Ajit heaped praise on Union home and cooperation minister Amit Shah for waiving Rs10,000 crore income tax of sugar mills. We tried the same during the UPA regime when Pranab Mukherjee was finance minister, but in vain. Shah made the waiver a reality. Why should we not support the Centre if it takes decisions that are in the interest of farmers? he asked.

Stay updated with all the Latest Kolhapur headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.