Maharashtra polls: Parties keep Vidarbha statehood out of campaigns

Nitin Gadkari

Sanjay Jog , Business Standard, Mumbai October 4, 2014: There is a mad rush among political parties in the run up to the Maharashtra assembly polls to announce their committment towards ''Akhand'' (united, undivided) Maharashtra.

None of the parties including Congress, Nationalist CongressParty, Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena are raking up the issue of separate Vidarbha state. Incidentally, Vidarbha region occupies 31.6% of total area and holds 21.3% of total population of Maharashtra.

Shiv Sena has been quite consistent and firm in its view to strongly oppose Vidarbha state reiterating that the party will not allow division of Maharashtra which came into existence after sacrifice of 105 martyrs.

However, Congress party's turn around on this issue has stunned seveeral party leaders and its opponents. Host of its leaders including late Vasant Sathe, NKP Salve apart from ex-ministers Ranjit Deshmukh, Vilas Muttemwar, Madhukar Kimmatkar were at the forefront to spearhead agitation for Vidarbha state. Ironically, they failed to mobilize citizens from Vidarbha region, which is leading hub for coal mines, coal based power plants and oranges.

After losing power at the Centre, Congress has dropped even the mention of Vidarbha state from its poll manifesto. Congress is not sure to galvanize necessary support on this issue as it is fight for survival in 62 assembly constituencies from the Vidarbha region. Congress has promised adequate allocation of funds to expedite development of the region.

As far as NCP is concerned, the party president Sharad Pawar on Friday said his party supports united Maharashtra. ''Let the people and not the politicians take a decision on Vidarbha state. Voters have rejected political parties who have contested elections in the past on this issue,'' Pawar said.

Incidentally, Pawar led NCP has expressed its resolve for united Maharashtra. Pawar also recalled sacrifice made by a lot of people for the formation of Maharashtra.

In case of BJP, which has been quite vocal for the establishment of small states and especially Vidarbha, has kept it out of its campaign. BJP, which rode on Modi wave, to win six out of 10 Lok Sabha seats, has geared up similar performance in 62 assembly seats.

Union minister of rural development and roads Nitin Gadkari, who was elected from Nagpur in the Lok Sabha poll, has recently said that the Centre doesn't have any plans with regard to thestatehood for Vidarbha. Instead, Gadkari announced projects of over Rs 13,000 crore for Nagpur alone.

BJP has nominated a young politician Ashish Deshmukh, who is former Congress leader Ranjit Deshmukh's son, from Katol seat against his uncle and NCP candidate Anil Deshmukh. Ashish had recently led a march to press for Vidarbha state.

Ironically, former legislator Wamanrao Chatap, who contested on Aam Aadmi Party ticket from Chandrapur seats in Lok Sabha poll, is isolated on this issue.