Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP had created ruckus in the assembly and expressed their strong protest over separate Vidarbha state issue.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis issued a clarification in the state assembly that there is no proposal to form separate Vidarbha state and only centre is empowered to take any decision in this regard. He appealed to the opposition to allow the smooth functioning of the assembly. Fadnavis informed the assembly that the government is taking every step to develop Vidarbha region. Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP had created ruckus in the assembly and expressed their strong protest over this issue. The functioning of the house was disrupted as Congress leader Narayan Rane demanded the resignation of Fadnavis.
Shiv Sena leaders had worn a cap mentioning ‘Akhand Maharashtra’ (united Maharashtra) in the assembly to voice their protest against the bifurcation of Maharashtra. Earlier BJP MP Nana Patole had said that the decision about carving out Vidarbha from Maharashtra will be taken at an appropriate time. Thus the issue of granting statehood to Vidarbha has brought Sena, Congress and NCP together to take on the BJP in both the houses of Maharashtra Legislature.
“There’s no such proposal (for a separate Vidarbha state). Carving out small states is a subject handled by the Centre,” Fadnavis said.
The Chief Minister’s said this amid noisy protests by the Opposition, within and outside the Lower House, on the contentious issue of formation of a separate Vidarbha state.
Former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Prithviraj Chavan said, “The Chief Minister, legislators and BJP must issue a clarification in this regard. They should not indulge in politics over granting statehood to Vidarbha. People of Maharashtra oppose the division of the state.”
Senior Congress leader Narayan Rane said, “The 11 crore residents of the state are in favour of united Maharashtra. BJP should not forget about those people who had sacrificed their lives for united Maharashtra. Lokmanya Tilak had taught us to remain united to achieve independence from British rule. BJP is only trying to mislead the people of Maharashtra. They have come to power only because people had voted for them.”
Shiv Sena MLAs displayed a banner depicting BJP MP Nana Patole as “shekhchilli” (a comic character). Patole had last week moved a resolution in the Lok Sabha, seeking formation of a Vidarbha state.
Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut said, “Vidarba CM is ruling the state and most of the ministers belong to this region. Nana Patole has hurt the sentiments of people of Maharashtra. Shiv Sena has always opposed the formation of Vidarbha and we won’t allow the division of Maharashtra.”
Shiv Sena legislator Neelam Gorhe said, “Since BJP has got people’s mandate it doesn’t mean that it can go ahead with the decision of forming Vidarbha. A decision in this regard should be taken by having a dialogue with the opposition parties and alliance partners.”
Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil alleged there’s fixing between Sena and BJP over Vidarbha. He said Maharashtra was formed after the sacrifice of 105 martyrs in Samyukt Maharashtra movement.
“BJP has insulted people of Maharashtra by making and backing demand for separate Vidarbha,” the Congress leader said.
