Mumbai: The renewed demand for a separate
state of Vidarbha in the back of the Centre`s decision to
carve out Telangana from Andhra Pradesh has brought to fore
differences in the Opposition Shiv Sena-BJP alliance.
The Sena today announced a five-day Vidarbha tour
beginning January 16, by senior leader Diwakar Raote to "foil
the bid to split Maharashtra by demanding separate Vidarbha
state."
The party`s stance is in stark contrast to state BJP
leaders` support to fulfill the long-pending demand for a
separate Vidarbha.
Sena leaders have come out vehemently against splitting
Maharashtra. "The Sena has sounded a bugle against separate
Vidarbha," party spokesperson Neelam Gorhe told PTI.
"We are opposed to a separate Vidarbha state. We feel
Vidarbha`s development is possible even if the region remains
a part of Maharashtra," senior Sena leader Subhash Desai said.
"Our party supremo Bal Thackeray believes in `Sanyukta
Maharashtra` (United Maharashtra) and we will not allow the
state break into two parts," he said.
PTI
