Pro-Vidarbha forces are eagerly waiting for a resolution of the Telangana state issue after realising that this would mount pressure for bifurcation of Maharashtra.
The demand of a separate Vidarbha state is as old as that of the Telangana state but pro-Vidarbha organisations and activists have failed to convert it into a people’s movement. In fact, they have utterly failed in winning Lok Sabha and Assembly elections on the Vidarbha state plank.
But creation of a separate Telangana state in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh is bound to revive this demand.
This is because Chhattisgarh, which is close to Vidarbha geographically, has already carved out from Madhya Pradesh.
If the main Opposition BJP has been waiting for outcome of the Telangana issue, the Congress has been refusing to take a clear stand on the Vidarbha state demand.
Three new states — Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh — were created when the BJP-led NDA was in power at the Centre.
The BJP and the Sangh Parivar have been in favour of smaller states, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP will take a stand only after the Congress’ decision. But the Shiv Sena is the only party which is consistent on “united” Maharashtra.
Smaller parties like the RPI are not against a Vidarbha state. The Janata Parivar, the PWP and others are against the division of Maharashtra.
The Congress insiders are speaking in different voices on the Vidarbha issue, saying that it is a leaderless movement. People from Varhad, especially those from Amravati, Akola, Yavatmal and Buldhana districts are not keen on a Vidarbha state. But the Congress leaders can jump into an agitation on a Vidarbha state if they see it can get momentum if the Telangana issue is resolved successfully.
According to the BJP insiders, including MPs, the Congress stands to lose Maharashtra.
“In Vidarbha, the BJP will emerge as a gainer if the state is created. But in rest of Maharashtra, the Congress could be a loser. This is because the NCP and the Shiv Sena are stronger than the Congress,” they said.