Pro-Vidarbha leader stages demonstration

Former Lok Sabha member Jambuwantrao Dhote on Saturday staged a day-long demonstration in support of a separate state of Vidarbha, reports Pradip Kumar Maitra.

Former Lok Sabha member Jambuwantrao Dhote on Saturday staged a day-long demonstration in support of a separate state of Vidarbha.

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He asked the Central and state governments to take cognisance of the aspirations of the people of Vidarbha and concede to the demand.

Member of Parliament from Nagpur Vilas Muttemwar, former MP and senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Banwarilal Purohit and several pro-Vidarbha leaders met Dhote to express support.

Dhote — his recent statement that he would seek help from Naxalites for a separate state had caused a flutter — tried to meet alleged Naxalites at the Nagpur Central Jail on Friday, but was denied permission by jail authorities.

His move to seek Naxalite support was also criticised by the widows of policemen killed in encounters in Gadchiroli. The widows on Friday staged a demonstration against Dhote.

“The police detained several widows when they tried to burn Dhote’s effigy,” said Manoj Sharma, additional superintendent of police, Gadchiroli.