Once an issue which evoked huge public support, separate Vidarbha State is nowhere on the political landscape of the 2014 Maharashtra Assembly elections.
Convener of the Vidarbha Rajya Andolan Samiti (VJAS), an umbrella group of 26 pro-Vidarbha groups, Rambhau Newale, opines that the “betrayal” by the political leadership has led to the reduced public support for the movement.
“The demand for a separate Vidarbha State is older than that of Telangana. But every time the movement gathered momentum, leaders heading it were co-opted by the political parties which lured them with political appointments. The people of Vidarbha support the cause but don’t trust the leaders, which is why the issue is nowhere in the elections,” Mr. Rambhau told The Hindu . Of the five major parties contesting the elections, the Shiv Sena and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) are opposed to bifurcation of Maharashtra.
The Congress seems divided on the issue. The former Chief Minister, Prithviraj Chavan, publicly opposed a separate State for “the fear of increase in Naxalism.” However, Congress MLA and Minister in the Chavan Cabinet Nitin Raut openly supported a separate Vidarbha State.
“The NCP supports the statehood for Vidarbha. But I don’t see it happening any time in the near future as it does not have wider political acceptability. The Shiv Sena, the MNS and some sections in the BJP and the Congress are opposed to it,” claimed senior NCP leader Anil Deshmukh.
Mr. Deshmukh’s rival candidate from the Katol seat, BJP leader Ashish Deshmukh had gone on a fast unto death for a separate Vidarbha State last year.
“I had broken my fast on the assurance of Nitin Gadkari that at an appropriate time a separate Vidarbha State would be formed. You may see a separate Vidarbha State before next general election,” hoped Mr. Deshmukh.
BJP State president Devendra Fadnavis said the party was committed to separate Vidarbha.
“The people of Vidarbha support it, but it’s not a political issue. We don’t want a fight between two brothers like at the time of formation of Telangana. I think it will happen at an appropriate time,” said Mr. Fadnavis, refusing to mention specific time frame. The VJAS has appealed to the people of Vidarbha to opt for NOTA (None of the above) option in this election. “As no party is raising the issue of a separate Vidarbha State, the NOTA vote will be a vote for a separate Vidarbha State,” said Mr. Rambhau.
