Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil to participate in silent march against the CM

Leader of opposition in state assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil on Wednesday announced that he would participate in the silent march by Maratha community in Ahmednagar on September 23. He stated he would do so because chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is trying to divide the Maratha agitation.

It's the first time that any big leader has openly supported the silent march or has announced their partricipation. Speaking to media persons at Sangamner, Vikhe-Patil said, "When Maratha community is taking it to streets in various cities with participation of lakhs of people, CM is trying to fool entire state by holding talks with Maratha leaders from BJP." "Fadnavis is trying to create a rift between the Maratha community. Instead CM should have held discussions with Maratha leaders from across the political parties and from various leading organisations," he added.

Vikhe-Patil said that on one hand Fadnavis is saying that state Government has taken serious note of silent march being taken out by Maratha community in various cities and on the other hand a conspiracy is being hatched to foment communal tension by organizing counter marches by Dalit communities. He said that Maratha community is taking it to streets after years of neglect of its demands and Government is trying to suppress it by playing its communal card.