Vidarbha: No such proposal; only Centre can form new states, says Fadnavis

Mumbai: In an attempt to end the controversy over his government's stand on the formation of a separate Vidarbha state, Maharashta Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Monday, said that the state government is considering no such proposal.

Speaking in the state assembly, Fadnavis said, "There's no such proposal (for a separate Vidarbha state). Carving out small states is a subject handled by the Centre."

The CM's statement came amid noisy protests by the Opposition, within and outside the Lower House, over the issue.

BJPs ally Shiv Sena, which is vehemently opposed to any such move, also joined in condemning the proponents of a separate Vidarbha.

Shiv Sena MLA Prakash Abitkar asked Fadnavis to clarify stand on creation of a separate Vidarbha state.

Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil alleged theres fixing between Sena and BJP over Vidarbha.

The Assembly was adjourned for the day after noisy scenes by Opposition legislators over the separate Vidarbha issue, which had disrupted the House proceedings on Friday too.

Shiv Sena MLAs held a protest outside the Assembly building, opposing demand for separate Vidarbha state.

"Maharashtra should remain united," shouted the Sena legislators on the stairs of the main entrance of Vidhan Bhawan.

They displayed a banner depicting BJP MP Nana Patole as "shekhchilli" (a comic character). Patole had last week moved a resolution in the Lok Sabha, seeking formation of a Vidarbha state.

Vikhe Patil said Maharashtra was formed after the sacrifice of 105 martyrs in Samyukt Maharashtra movement.

"BJP has insulted people of Maharashtra by making and backing demand for separate Vidarbha," the Congress leader said.