Maharashtra Navn-irman Sena (MNS) Chief Raj Thackeray on Tuesday opposed the demand for a separate state of Vidarbha.
However, the MNS chief said that a referendum should be held to know the opinion of the people on the matter.
Thackeray, who arrived in Nagpur on Tuesday pleaded for a united Maharashtra. “At a time when the state is getting ready to celebrate the golden jubilee of its formation, any demand for its division is not welcome,” he said.
Raj now joins leaders such as Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray and Union Heavy Industries Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh — all of whom have opposed the demand for a separate Vidarbha state.
“It was necessary to understand why the people in Vidarbha were angry [with the existing scheme of things] and think of ways to find a remedy,” Thackeray said.
“It cannot be denied that there has been a huge injustice to Vidarbha during the 50 years of Maharashtra’s existence, but that doesn’t mean that the region should be cut away. Division of the state cannot be an option.”
“If the supply of blood to the head is affected and your doctor cannot cure it, you must change your doctor. Severing the head is not the solution,” the MNS chief added.
{{/usCountry}}“If the supply of blood to the head is affected and your doctor cannot cure it, you must change your doctor. Severing the head is not the solution,” the MNS chief added.
{{/usCountry}}“The demand for Vidarbha state is being raised suddenly after the Centre had announced the initiation of the procedure for carving out Telangana from Andhra Pradesh,” he said.
Asserting that the issue of was complicated, Thackeray said that he was trying to analyse the situation and work out a plan to ensure the region’s development.