BJP supports statehood for Vidarbha, not marathwada

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced its support for a separate Vidarbha state, but stated that it was not in favour of statehood for Marathwada. This policy was outlined by BJP state president Raosaheb Danve during a press meet on Saturday before the start of the two-day state executive meeting of the party in Nashik.

“The BJP, since Vajpayee was Prime Minister, has always been in favour of smaller states that are better to develop than big ones. Hence, our demand is an old one. However, we aren’t in favour of a separate Marathwada state,” Mr Danve said. The comment from the state BJP president came in the backdrop of a controversy stoked by former advocate general Shreehari Aney favouring a separate Marathwada state.

Speaking about the ensuing municipal elections in Maharashtra, Mr Danve said that the local district bodies had been empowered to decide alliances in the elections.

“For the past 25 years we have been allies with the Shiv Sena. During the last Assembly elections we contested separately. However, we are in talks with the Shiv Sena for an alliance to contest the Mumbai municipal elections. It will be decided in the talks whether we contest together or separately,” Mr Danve said. There are talks that the Sena and BJP might not go together in the BMC polls, as the BJP’s strength has grown after the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in the city.

Speaking about women’s entry into temples, Mr Danve said that the party was always in favour of gender equality. “Our policy is clear —where men are allowed, women should be allowed too.”

Speaking on the drought situation and farmers’ suicides, Mr Danve said, “On this issue, we all should come together and work. The BJP government has sanctioned Rs 3,200 crore to help affected farmers. The fees of students and electricity bills of people in drought-hit areas have been waived,” he said.

Mr Danve also announced that the party holds three-day state executive body meetings every four months. However, due to the Assembly session, the current meeting would be conducted over two days with 700 members participating in it.