THANE: NCP state president Sunil Tatkare on Sunday said the constituents of Mahayuti — the alliance comprising NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and BJP—will be working towards Mission 45 Plus, and that they were sure to bag more than 45 seats in the state in the Lok Sabha elections next year. Addressing a gathering in Thane on Sunday, Tatkare traced the history of quota given to Marathas and the issues the matter faced in the judiciary, and said that the present government, under the leadership of CM Shinde, wanted to give a legally sustainable reservation to Marathas. Talking about his partys stand on the matter, Tatkare said the demand for Maratha reservation was justified. He referred to the agitation carried out by Sakal Maratha Samaj and said that NCP, too, was concerned about the suicides in the state over the issue.Responding to a question, Tatkare said he would be present at the hearing of petitions filed by the party before the Supreme Court on Monday. He later met a delegation of Maratha leaders and discussed the issue of reservation with them. We also published the following articles recentlyNCP delegation meets Maharashtra governor on Maratha quota demandThe Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) delegation, led by Supriya Sule and Jayant Patil, met with Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais to request state intervention in the quota agitation by the Maratha community. The delegation demanded that the community be given reservation and urged the Governor to communicate with the state and central governments. The Maratha community has been protesting for reservation in government jobs and education under the OBC category. If their demands are not met, fast-unto-death protests will begin in villages across Maharashtra. The government has stated its commitment to granting reservation to the Maratha community.Will fight for Maratha quota till end: Maharashtra CM Eknath ShindeMaharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde did not provide any concrete assurance on granting reservation for the Maratha community, despite the deadline set by quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil. However, in a dramatic speech at a Shiv Sena rally, Shinde claimed he would fight for Maratha reservation until his last breath. In response, Jarange-Patil announced that he would resume his hunger strike. Shinde urged Maratha youth not to commit suicide and emphasized the need to stay united with other communities. This rally also served as Shindes pitch for the upcoming Lok Sabha and state assembly elections.Ajit Pawar cancels Baramati visit as Maratha quota agitation intensifiesMaharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar cancelled his visit to his hometown of Baramati due to pressure from Maratha organizations. He was scheduled to start the sugar cane crushing season at a sugar mill in Baramati, but some organizations threatened to block his entry. In response to calls for banning politicians from entering villages, Maratha outfits told the sugar mill not to invite Pawar. Maratha community members will also begin hunger strikes in every village across Maharashtra. The cancellation of Pawars visit was praised by NCP Chief Sharad Pawar.

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