After talks with a government delegation Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Thursday ended his nine-day-old indefinite fast for Maratha reservations. However,  he warned of a bigger agitation if no action was taken in two months on giving reservations to the community. Jarange said he would lead a massive march to Mumbai if no decision was taken within two months. “Then people of Mumbai won’t even get vegetables,” he added.

Jarange’s announcement at the fast site in his Antarwali Sarati village of the Jalna district came after 4 state ministers met him and requested him to call off the indefinite hunger strike.

“I have ended my fast, but the Maratha quota agitation continues. Relay fasts will also continue,” Jarange said and asked the government to decide by December 24.

A delegation of retired high court judges Sandeep Shinde, M G Gaikwad, and some officials also met Jarange, who reiterated his demand for reservation for Marathas across the state.

He demanded “fool proof reservation” and asked the state government to give him its assurance. The ministerial delegation included ministers from all three ruling parties, Shiv Sena, BJP and NCP.

Speaking to the media in Mumbai later, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde thanked Jarange for calling off the fast.