‘Vidarbha can’t benefit even if Lord Brahma is Maha CM, Statehood must’

Nagpur: Jai Vidarbha Party (JVP) renewed its demand for a separate Vidarbha state on Independence Day, with party national president Arun Kedar claiming that the region’s development would remain stalled as long as it continued to be part of Maharashtra.Addressing party workers after hoisting the Tricolour at the JVP headquarters in Nagpur, Kedar used a sharp analogy to underline the party’s stand. “Even if Vidarbha remains with Maharashtra for another 100 years and Lord Brahma himself is made the chief minister, the pending projects of Vidarbha will not be completed and its people will not get their rightful share. Separate Vidarbha state is the only solution to all our problems,” he said.The party organised the programme to mark the 80th Independence Day with flag hoisting and the singing of the national anthem.Kedar said the demand for statehood was rooted in what the party described as the need for ‘all-round development’ of the region. Referring to Maharashtra’s financial position, he claimed the state was carrying a debt burden of crores of rupees and argued that govt was therefore in no position to adequately address Vidarbha’s developmental requirements.He called upon Centre to initiate the process for creation of a separate Vidarbha by exercising its powers under Article 3 of the Constitution, which provides for formation of new states and alteration of existing state boundaries.The remarks come amid renewed mobilisation by several pro-Vidarbha organisations seeking to bring the statehood demand back into the political discourse. Groups backing the movement have repeatedly cited pending irrigation projects, regional development disparities and what they allege is inadequate representation in decision-making as reasons for carving out a separate state.JVP national general secretary Vishnupant Ashtikar, national vice-president Mukesh Masurkar, city president Prashant Nakhate and general secretary Naresh Nimje also addressed the gathering. Vidarbha Rajya Andolan Samiti’s East Vidarbha vice-president Sunil Chokhare, Megha Maturkar and Dr Gauhar Patel were among those present, along with party workers, activists and residents.