India, Sept. 13 -- Controversial right wing leader Manohar alias Sambhaji Bhide visited Manoj Jarange-Patil on Tuesday at Antarwali-Sarathi village, raising many eyebrows in political circles. Not so long ago, Bhide's derogatory remarks against national icons such as Mahatma Gandhi and Mahatma Jyotiba Phule had generated controversy.

Subsequently, two FIRs were registered against him in Amravati and Nashik.

On Tuesday, Bhide urged the Maratha activist to call off his hunger strike and praised chief minister Eknath Shinde, and deputy chief ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar for their resolve to give reservation to a section of the community. He said that he would stand by Jarange-Patil and ensure the government sticks to its word...