Vidarbha legislators inactive: Salve

Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, Mar 30 (UNI) Former Union Minister N K P Salve has strongly condemned legislators from the Vidarbha region saying they have been inactive in resolving the problems of the region.

Mr Salve was speaking to reporters after visiting the famed Sai Baba temple at Shirdi near here.

The legislators from Western Maharashtra are drawing away funds meant for Vidarbha's development but the Vidarbha legislators have remained passive onlookers, he alleged. The state government, too, has meted step-motherly treatment to Vidarbha, he charged.

Mr Salve said he had met Mr S M Krishna when the latter was Maharashtra's Governor and had apprised him of the situation.

Following Mr Krishna's intervention, Vidarbha could secure some funds for its development, Mr Salve said.

An advocate of a separate Vidarbha, Mr Salve said Vidarbha's development can be ensured only if it is carved into a separate state. All parties, barring the Congress, are in favour of a separate Vidarbha but the Congress has been delaying the move by appointing commissions, he charged.

He said he will meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi on the separate Vidarbha demand.

Meanwhile, Mr Salve, who is also a foremer Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president said during his tenure the functioning of the BCCI had been transparent and clean. But, things have changed since, he rued.

He lauded Mr Sharad Pawar saying under the latter's leadership, the BCCI was regaining its disciplined functioning.

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