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Leaders to push demand for a separate Vidarbha
The demand for a separating Vidarbha state is steadily gaining pace. On Thursday, leaders from various political parties , except the Shiv Sena, at a meeting gave a fervent call to intensify the statehood agitation and called for Vidarbha Bandh on January 20. BJP’s ally Shiv Sena has opposed a division of MaharashtraPradip Kumar Maitra.
The demand for a separating Vidarbha state is steadily gaining pace.
On Thursday, leaders from various political parties , except the Shiv Sena, at a meeting gave a fervent call to intensify the statehood agitation and called for Vidarbha Bandh on January 20. BJP’s ally Shiv Sena has opposed a division of Maharashtra.
The meeting was convened by former MPCC president, Ranjit Deshmukh and attended by Congress Lok Sabha members - Vilas Muttemwar, and Datta Meghe, former Lok Sabha members - Jambuwantrao Dhote and Naresh Pugalia, senior RPI leaders and former Lok Sabha members - Jogendra Kawade, Prakash Ambedkar and legislators. The leaders formed Vidarbha Rajya Sangram Samiti, to spearhead the movement.
At the meeting, Muttemwar, without naming Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, lashed out at him for his alleged statement that several leaders have expressed reservation for a separate Vidarbha state. “Leaders against the statehood demand are a handful. Almost all Vidarbhaites are in favour of a separate state,” he said.
Muttemwar also asked leaders to ensure that the next winter session should be held in the newly carved out Vidarbha state. Balkrishna Wasnik, former MP and father of Union Minister for Social Justice, Mukul Wasnik have extended his support.
The committee will meet again on January 11 to plan future course of action. Former union minister and president Rashtriya Kranti Dal, Ajit Singh has been invited.
BJP’s Vidarbha unit has convened a meeting of its MPs, MLAs, ZP members and party corporators from Nagpur, Amravati and Akola to discuss the issue on January 9.
“The meeting will chalk out the party strategy,” said Devendra Phadnavis, BJP MLA.
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