On Maharashtra Day, demand for Vidarbha state gets raked up again

The government has maintained tight silence over the issue ever since it assumed power

Even as Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis declared the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government's commitment to development of the state on the occasion of Maharashtra Day on Friday, some residents and members of non-government organisations in Nagpur and Chandrapur demanded statehood for Vidarbha.

In Nagpur, second capital of Maharashtra and Fadnavis' home town, a group of people alleged that the BJP had, after assuming power, dumped its promise to form a Vidarbha state. They said the BJP should take the lead in forming the Vidarbha state instead of ‘running away’. The BJP had excluded the Vidarbha statehood issue from its Assembly poll manifesto. After assuming power, especially after the Shiv Sena joined the government in December last year, the BJP had preferred to maintain silence on this issue.

In Naxal-affected Chandrapur, a group of people gathered in the city and hoisted a flag demanding separate Vidarbha when state finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar was busy celebrating Maharashtra Day at a separate function. Some residents said it was time Vidarbha was formed to fast-track the development of the region.

After paying tribute to 106 martyrs of the Samyukta Maharashtra movement at Hutatma Chowk, Fadnavis said the state's growth would be achieved through the implementation of proper planning of agriculture and irrigation and through development plans.

The Shiv Sena, which opposes statehood for Vidarbha, said Maharashtra would stay united and prosper. Shiv Sena in its party mouthpiece Saamna alleged that a section of people were hell-bent on dividing the state. It said the Sena would fight for united Maharashtra and maintain its pride and glory.