The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) found itself alienated on Friday after ally Shiv Sena joined hands with the Opposition against the demand of separate statehood for Vidarbha. The ensuing pandemonium led to the Legislative Assembly and Council being adjourned till Monday. The standoff was a reaction to a resolution demanding separate statehood moved by BJP MP from Gondia Nana Patole in the Lok Sabha earlier in the day.
The altercation between the allies, who are sharing power in the state and the Centre, took a serious turn after Transport Minister Divakar Raote, a Sena MLA, objected to the demand by BJP MLAs for the state to be divided. A heated debate ensued, forcing senior leaders from both sides to intervene.
Shiv Sena MLA Sunil Prabhu emphasised that the alliance with the BJP is based on the concept of a united Maharashtra. “This state is the result of the sacrifices by 105 martyrs, and the Sena will never let it be divided. If BJP is going to push for a separate Vidarbha state, then we are ready to go to any level and can sacrifice anything [to counter it],” he said.
In the Legislative Council, Leader of Opposition Dhananjay Munde, Congress leader Narayan Rane and Sena leader Neelam Gorhe demanded the BJP speak on the issue. “He (Nana Patole) is a BJP MP and this party is ruling in both the state and the Centre. Therefore, the BJP must clarify its stand in the Council on this issue,” Mr. Rane said.
With the aggressive Opposition, which was joined by Sena MLAs, refusing to calm down, Council chairman Ramraje Naik-Nimbalkar adjourned the House.
In the Assembly, LoP Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, NCP leader Ajit Pawar and Mr. Prabhu raised the issue. However, Education Minister Vinod Tawde objected, saying happenings in the Lok Sabha cannot be discussed in the Legislative Assembly. Speaker Haribhau Bagde, however, ruled that while the discussion cannot be held, MLAs can voice their opinions on the topic.
Speaking to reporters outside the Assembly, NCP leader Jayant Patil said pro-Vidarbha MLAs and MPs should resign and contest the elections again on the separate Vidarbha plank.
Shiv Sena emphasised that the alliance with the BJP is based on the concept of a united Maharashtra