Maharashtra Advocate General Shrihari Aney today said it was a "misconception" that separate Vidarbha cannot survive without Western Maharashtra and claimed that statehood for this eastern region was definitely financially-viable.
Reiterating his commitment for creation of separate Vidarbha, Aney also dismissed criticism that there was no demand for separate Vidarbha and no leadership if the new state is carved out of Maharashtra.
"It is a misconception that separate Vidarbha can't sustain without Western Maharashtra. Vidarbha is definitely a financially viable state," Aney said.
Aney's remarks come in the wake of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, who had said last month that statehood for Vidarbha was not economically viable.
"Though a separate statehood for Vidarbha was BJP's poll agenda, it is not financially viable," Chavan had said.
Criticising the opposition Congress as well as the ruling BJP on the Vidarbha issue, Aney said, "It is true that Congress leaders were at the forefront of Vidarbha demand. However, despite ruling Maharashtra for so many years, they sidelined the Vidarbha issue," he said.
"BJP, which is now at the helm of affairs, is no different. The ruling party will not fulfil what the Congress was demanding, as it will play the role of Opposition (on this issue)," he alleged.
He was speaking at an event organised by a local college.
Aney, who is grandson of former city MP Bapu Aney, another pro-Vidarbha leader, had stirred a controversy last month before the commencement of Winter Session of the State Legislature, when he demanded a referendum on separate Vidarbha.
"If 51 per cent people vote in favour, then the Centre should create a separate Vidarbha. I know for sure that more than 80 per cent people in the region will vote in favour and that is why the Centre does not have the courage to go in for a referendum," Aney had said.
However, his demand came in for sharp criticism from ruling alliance partner Shiv Sena, which sought his resignation as it said the demand was contrary to his position as the State Advocate General.
