Shrihari Aney again rakes up Vidarbha issue
Maharashtra Advocate General Shrihari Aney once again articulated his stand on separate Vidarbha and said the people of Vidarbha could only get jobs in Maharashtra as peons. Interestingly, Ravi Bhagwat, brother of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat was also present for the programme and extended his support to the demand for a separate Vidarbha. Both the speakers expressed their opinions in a lecture series at Chandrapur.
“The Nagpur agreement gave 22 per cent employment (for Vidarbha people). But the situation has changed in the last three years. Only 2.5 per cent jobs have come to Vidarbha. We are not even eligible to become peons in Maharashtra,” Mr Aney said in a programme at Chandrapur on Saturday.
Mr Aney had candidly commented on the separate Vidarbha issue in December just a day before the Nagpur session of the state legislature began. His remarks created a controversy with all political parties rubbishing them. Shiv Sena was the first to slam Mr Aney for making the statement despite being the advocate general of Maharashtra. Shiv Sena has been always in support of a united Maharashtra. The statement by Mr Aney also strained relations of allies Shiv Sena and BJP, as chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who belongs to Vidarbha, appointed Mr Aney.
Mr Aney appealed to people not to believe in political parties, saying they did not keep their promises. “Do not trust in any political party. Many had promised a separate Vidarbha, but did not keep their promise. But we always extend our support to established political parties. Many have removed the issue of separate Vidarbha from their agendas. So, pro-Vidarbha leaders should contest polls and the people should vote for them,” Mr Aney said. Interestingly, BJP has always spoken in support of a separate Vidarbha and having small states is the party policy. But the party has not taken any strong step towards the demand after coming to power.
Citing the example of separate Telangana, Mr Aney refused to support violent ways. But he also warned that if the government ignored the demand then youths might resort to an untoward step in a fit of rage. Envisaging about the separate state, Mr Aney said Vidarbha would not only invite industries, but also take care of 80 per cent farmers and tribals. He also said the Vidarbha could be financially sustainable.
Meanwhile, Ravi Bhagwat also supported the demand of separate Vidarbha. Ravi Bhagwat looks after the RSS branch in Chandrapur.