The long-standing demand for a separate Vidarbha state has forcefully re-entered Maharashtra's political arena. In a significant development, opposition parties united on Sunday to criticise Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, accusing him of abandoning the very movement he once championed.
Opposition Unites on Neglect Allegations
Leaders from the Congress, the NCP (SP), and the Shiv Sena (UBT) launched a sharp attack during a joint press conference. They expressed deep disappointment, stating that the people of Vidarbha had expected a decisive push for statehood when a leader from the region finally became Chief Minister. However, they lamented that the area "continues to wait for justice."
NCP leader and former state home minister Anil Deshmukh invoked a past declaration by Fadnavis to underscore his point. "Fadnavis had said he would not marry until Vidarbha became a separate state," Deshmukh recalled. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Bhaskar Jadhav added a sarcastic remark, noting, "Till date that person is unmarried, refuses to marry."
Deep-Rooted Regional Disparities Highlighted
Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar argued that the debate has intensified because regional imbalances have worsened. He detailed how Vidarbha's share in development schemes, budgetary support, and key administrative decisions remains critically low. "Funds are spent in big cities while smaller regions, especially Vidarbha, are pushed back," he asserted.
Wadettiwar pointed to specific grievances including delays in farm loan waivers, incomplete irrigation projects, and unfilled appointments in health and education departments. He emphasised that Vidarbha is a socially balanced region with significant populations of OBCs, Adivasis, Dalits, and minorities, yet this diversity is not reflected in fair political representation or resource allocation.
The region's distress, he said, is starkly visible in the tragic farmer suicide figures. "Every day, six to seven farmers die by suicide. Vidarbha accounts for a disproportionate share. What has changed for the people here?" he questioned. He further criticised the state's financial management, noting that despite Maharashtra's debt crossing ₹6.32 lakh crore, Vidarbha continues to be neglected.
Political Escalation and Democratic Concerns
Wadettiwar indicated plans to escalate the issue politically, stating he would take up the matter with his party's high command in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Bhaskar Jadhav, while stating he was not in favour of bifurcation, strongly supported the critique of regional neglect.
Jadhav attacked the government's approach to legislative functioning, arguing it weakens the platform for raising Vidarbha's issues. "What kind of democracy is this? If the CM can send invitations as head of the Legislature, why ignore constitutional norms when recognising the opposition?" he asked, indirectly referencing the non-appointment of a Leader of Opposition. He contended that leaving key posts vacant limits meaningful debate on backward regions.
In conclusion, Wadettiwar reiterated the argument for statehood, stating that Vidarbha possesses the requisite social composition, administrative logic, and economic potential to function successfully as a separate state. "A separate Vidarbha would help maintain social equilibrium and ensure justice to all groups here," he affirmed, setting the stage for renewed political momentum on the issue.
