Effigy of Raj Thackeray burnt by pro-Vidarbha activists for protesting against disruption of press conference held by them.
Pro-Vidarbha activists gave a befitting reply to the MNS which had disrupted the press conference organised by the former demanding statehood for Vidarbha by burning effigies of Raj Thackeray and posters of Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray and Balasaheb Thackeray. Activists gathered at Variety Chowk in Nagpur and chanted slogan against these leaders. They alleged that MNS is only trying to garner publicity by asking them to wind up the event and leave the venue. The activists also added that they won’t relent under pressure and will only intensify their agitation in future. They have given a January 1 deadline to the state and central government to address this issue.
Earlier the MNS activists had barged into the press conference organised by Vidarbha Rajya Andolan Samithi (VRAS) at Press Club in South Mumbai and warned them against the bifurcation of Maharashtra. VRAS core committee member Wamanrao Chatap had organised the conference. He had an argument with MNS activists to allow activists to exercise their democratic rights. Chatap has been staunch supporter of bifurcation of the state.
Vidarbha Rajya Andolan Samiti (VRAS) said the “backward region” in eastern Maharashtra can achieve all-around development only when it is granted statehood which will allow it to take decisions independently.
Addressing a press conference, Wamanrao Chatap, a member of the core committee of VRAS, said, “We strongly believe the overall development of Vidarbha is only possible when it is made a separate state.”
“Unless elected leaders of Vidarbha get full authority to take decisions on utilising resources of the region and creating new opportunities, issues like farmers suicides can’t be resolved.
“We are not against Maharashtra or its leadership but we want freedom of decision-making by focusing only on development of Vidarbha, which is experiencing neglect of more than half a century,” said the former MLA.
He said the Samiti has organised a mock session of ‘Vidarbha Assembly’ on October 3 and 4 at Vasantrao Deshpande Hall in Nagpur.
On the other hand, MNS has always opposed statehood to Vidarbha and is in favour of united Maharashtra. The party has always taken a firm stand on this issue and had threatened to launch agitation if anyone tries to divide the state.
The party while displaying a banner of a united Maharashtra, said there would be no compromise on this issue. “We will show them MNS style (read violence) if they persisted with their demand to break our state,” warned MNS corporator Sandeep Deshpande.
The Congress and NCP have periodically changed their stand on the issue and currently oppose the demand to carve a separate state out of Maharashtra.
