Under fire over statement on 'separate Marathwada', Maharashtra AG Shreehari Aney resigns

Mumbai: Maharashtra Advocate General Shreehari Aney, Tuesday, submitted his resignation to Governor C Vidyasagar Rao after facing flak over his statement in favour of a separate Marathwada state.

The Shiv Sena had taken the lead in protesting against Aney and had threatened to not allow the state assembly to function till Any quit his post. However, after Aney submitted his resignation, the Shiv Sena said that they will continue to protest against him until he apologises to the people of Maharashtra. The Sena also demanded that the Fadnavis-led government should register a case against him. 

The Congress and NCP had also reacted strongly to Aney's comments favouring a division of the state.

The assembly had, yesterday, witnessed noisy scenes with many MLAs shouting slogans against Aney.

Calling Aney "Owaisi in Maharashtra", Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik said, "What Aney is saying tantamounts to insult of martyrs who laid down their lives in the struggle for united Maharashtra."

Speaking outside the Assembly, State Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said "Is Aney an agent for dividing the state?"

Aney, at an event in Jalna Sunday where he disbursed relief to families of farmers who committed suicide, said Marathwada bore more injustice than Vidarbha and should therefore be independent.

He also called people of Marathwada to start a movement for formation of a separate state.

Any had last year triggered a similar row after he support the demand for a separate Vidarbha.