Vidarbha separation strains BJP-Sena alliance

Mumbai, Dec 11: With the Centre's approval to Telangana splitting from Andhra Pradesh, the separatists in Maharashtra have brought up Vidarbha again. However, this campaign to split the state seems to have cracked the Opposition alliance of Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena.

BJP leaders, who support the separation, have angered the Sena leaders who object to the separation.

"We are opposed to a separate Vidarbha state. Vidarbha's development is possible even if the region remains a part of Maharashtra," senior Sena leader Subhash Desai said, adding that the party would never support the separation of Maharashtra.

"Our party supremo Bal Thackeray believes in 'Sanyukta Maharashtra' (United Maharashtra) and we will not allow the state break into two parts," he said.

Led by the Centre's nod to a separate Telangana, BJP brought up Vidarbha issue in the State assembly on Thursday, Dec 10.

BJP MLA Chandrashekhar Bawankule who raised the issue in the assembly received support from leader of opposition Eknath Khadse.

This only adds to the conflict between the allies, as their relationship has already been strained by the BJP's leaning towards Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

OneIndia News