While the Bharatiya Janata Party’s and the RSS’ support for a Vidarbha state could affect its growth in the rest of Maharashtra, the Congress and the NCP’s strategic silence on this issue at this junc
While the Bharatiya Janata Party’s and the RSS’ support for a Vidarbha state could affect its growth in the rest of Maharashtra, the Congress and the NCP’s strategic silence on this issue at this juncture and the Shiv Sena and the MNS’ strong opposition to the bifurcation of Maharashtra could create unrest in the state. In fact, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party may quit the government on this issue.
Former Maharashtra advocate-general Shreehari Aney, who on Sunday hoisted a Vidarbha flag in Nagpur on Maharas-htra Day (formation of Maharashtra), plans to intensify the agitation on this issue. Maharashtra CM Dev-endra Fadnavis and Union minister Nitin Gadkari have been backing the demand openly.
If the split in Andhra Pradesh has weakened the Sonia Gandhi-led party and revived three regional parties in Andhra and Telangana states, attempts to split Maharashtra could not only go against the saffron party, but also give strength to smaller parties like the RPI factions, AAP and the Shetkari Sangathana in Vidarbha.
The Congress cannot oppose a Vidarbha state after forcibly dividing Andhra Pradesh but the NCP’s silence is significant in the sense that a division could help it politically in rest of the state as the BJP and the Congress would be seen as “anti-Maharashtra” parties.
The NCP’s stated position on this issue is “let people of Vidarbha decide either through referendum on the lines of Goa or in elections”.
While the BJP and the erstwhile Bharatiya Jana Sangh have never identified themselves with Marathi asmita (pride) in Maharashtra, the RSS too could not saffronise the state like Gujarat, despite having its national headquarters in Nagpur.
Interestingly, the BJP is relying on non-Marathi votes in the coming BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls to check ally Shiv Sena, sources said.
Meanwhile, supporters of separate Vidarbha led by Mr Aney on Sunday hoisted a Vidarbha flag in Nagpur and said they would intensify their movement for statehood to the region. They also chanted pro-Vidarbha slogans.
