Shiv Sena joins Oppn to attack govt on Vidarbha

The politically sensitive issue of statehood for Vidarbha on Monday brought the ruling Shiv Sena and the Opposition Congress and Nationalist Congress Party together to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party in both Houses of the Maharashtra Legislature.

Shiv Sena legislators, wearing saffron caps with Akhand Maharashtra (United Maharashtra) written on it, raised slogans against any attempt to divide the state. The opposition, too, joined in. The Assembly and the council were adjourned for the day.

Earlier, the BJP was on the offensive. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced there was no proposal by the state government to grant statehood to Vidarbha. “The Centre takes a decision to form smaller states. A resolution has been moved in Parliament. However, there is no such proposal by the state government,” he told the legislature.

The Shiv Sena legislators were quite aggressive. Rajendra Khirsagar entered the well and took away the ceremonial mace placed in front of the Speaker. However, he returned it after Fadnavis raised objections.

Shiv Sena was furious over a statement made by the state BJP unit chief, Raosaheb Danve, on the formation of Vidarbha state. They wanted Danve to tender an apology.

The leader of the Opposition in Assembly, Radhakrishna Vikhe, Patil led a scathing attack against the government for its attempt to divide Maharashtra. In the state council, the leader of the opposition Dhananjay Munde criticised the BJP for attempting to divide the state, while former chief minister Narayan Rane demanded the resignation of Fadnavis.