The state government has hardened its stand against Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil. It accepted the Assembly Speaker’s directive that the allegations levelled by the MLAs, mostly from the BJP, be probed by a special investigation team (SIT). BJP’s Ashish Shelar (in the Assembly) and Pravin Darekar (in the Council) raised the issue.

Both Maratha MLAs wanted to know why Jarange had been using political language and making accusations against the ruling leaders, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis in particular. They reiterated allegations that some Maratha activists had levelled against Jarange that the agitation was a conspiracy designed by the Opposition leaders.