MNS disrupts press conference called by pro-Vidarbha activists

MNS activists barged into the conference and shouted slogans against the statehood demand.

The Maharahtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on Tuesday disrupted a press conference called by activists demanding statehood for Vidarbha.

AAP leader Wamanrao Chatap argued with MNS workers to allow activists to exercise their democratic right. (HT Photo)

MNS activists barged into the conference and shouted slogans against the demand. “We will not allow such activities to break this state which has been formed after a lot of struggle,” said MNS corporator Sandeep Deshpande.

Read: Statehood for Vidarbha: A catch-22 situation for BJP

The conference was being addressed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Wamanrao Chatap who argued with MNS workers to allow activists to exercise their democratic right. Chatap, a former aide of peasants’ leader late Sharad Joshi, has been a strong advocate of the bifurcation. The MNS and Shiv Sena are strongly opposed to the demand while the BJP favours it. The Congress has periodically changed its stand and currently opposes the demand to carve a separate state out of Maharashtra.