Vidarbha: Zilla Parishad seeks statehood for region

Vidarbha, Aug 4: Amaravati Zilla Parishad, a district body in Maharashtra, has unanimously passed a resolution seeking creation of a separate state of Vidarbha.

This is for the first time that a Zilla Parishad in Vidarbha (the eastern region of Maharashtraha), passed such a resolution.

The resolution was passed at the meeting of standing council of Zilla Parishad at Chikhaldara yesterday, sources said.

Pratap Abhyankar, one of the members, moved the resolution whereas Surekha Thakre, Zilla Parishad president, seconded it.

Speakers at the meeting said that farmers' suicides in Vidarbha can be prevented if a separate state, which can utilise the natural resources in the region well, comes into being.

The demand for Vidarbha state has been rekindled in the wake of the recent decision by Congress to accede to the Telangana state demand.

Meanwhile, according to a report, the BJP state unit president Devendra Fadanavis said that BJP would form the separate state of Vidarbha if it comes to power. However, BJP would never support separating Mumbai from Maharashtra.

On Saturday, While speaking to media persons in the city Fadanavis said, "When National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government was in power at the Center, we formed three new states and they are role models for development."

He said, "BJP is in support of formation of smaller states and we support Vidarbha and Telangana states formation. The party's parliamentary board has already passed the resolution in this regard. If we get the opportunity we will form separate state of Vidarbha."

He further said, "BJP supports Prakash Amte for pressing the demand of separate Vidarbha state. Amte's leadership would provide morale foundation for the demand."

There have been sporadic protests demanding separate state for underdeveloped region Vidarbha.

OneIndia News

(With Agency inputs)