In a significant political move aimed at revitalizing the decades-old demand for a separate Vidarbha state, the Jai Vidarbha Party has declared its intention to contest the upcoming municipal corporation elections across the region. The party will field candidates in all four major civic bodies of Nagpur, Amravati, Akola, and Chandrapur, framing the local polls as a crucial extension of the larger statehood movement.
Electoral Strategy for a Constitutional Goal
Addressing the media on Friday, the party's national president, Arun Kedar, outlined the rationale behind this decision. He stated that the very foundation of the Jai Vidarbha Party is rooted in the statehood demand, and electoral participation is a necessary step to advance the cause. Kedar emphasized that while agitations and constitutional advocacy have been ongoing for decades, having elected representatives within the system is vital to amplify the region's voice effectively.
The party is no stranger to electoral battles, having previously contested both Lok Sabha and Vidarbha Legislative Assembly elections. Kedar confirmed that the party plans to remain a permanent fixture in the electoral arena, combining grassroots campaigns with political representation.
Linking Civic Issues to the Larger Political Discourse
Explaining the focus on municipal corporations, Kedar pointed out that these bodies deal with the most immediate concerns of citizens. He argued that issues like roads, drinking water, electricity, sewerage, public health, education, and transparent governance are fundamental and cannot be divorced from the broader political conversation about Vidarbha's development and identity.
The party has appointed specific leaders to helm the campaign in each city: Tatyasaheb Matte will lead in Nagpur, P.R. Rajput in Amravati and Akola, and Bhushan Chilke in Chandrapur. In selecting candidates, priority will be given to individuals who have actively participated in the Vidarbha movement and maintain a clean public image.
Openness to Alliances and the Constitutional Path
Kedar also expressed the party's openness to forming alliances, but with a clear caveat. Any tie-up would be strictly based on ideological alignment with the goal of Vidarbha's statehood and the protection of its identity, not on mere political convenience. He revealed that an all-party meeting with smaller regional and progressive organizations has been scheduled to explore a potential joint position on the issue.
Invoking Article 3 of the Indian Constitution, Kedar reiterated that the power to create a new state lies with the Central Government. He drew a parallel with the formation of Telangana, which was achieved through constitutional means despite opposition, suggesting that Vidarbha could follow a similar legal and procedural path.
This foray into urban local body elections marks a strategic shift for the Jai Vidarbha Party, aiming to embed the statehood narrative within the daily governance challenges faced by residents. It seeks to demonstrate that the solution to local civic woes is intrinsically linked to the region achieving full statehood and, consequently, greater administrative autonomy and focused development.
