Pro-Vidarbha activists protest outside Nitin Gadkari's residence

Nagpur: A group of pro-Vidarbha activists, demanding statehood for the region, on Tuesday protested outside Union minister Nitin Gadkari’s residence.

The activists took out a rally, under the leadership of former Legislator Wamanrao Chatap of Vidarbha Rajya Andolan Samiti, which ended at Gadkari’s residence located in Mahal area in the eastern part of the city.

“A large number of farmers, students, women and youngsters from across various districts of Vidarbha took part in the protest march, which was aimed at reminding Gadkari of his promise on a separate Vidarbha state,” Ram Neole, a leader of Samiti said.

Before being elected as an MP from Nagpur Lok Sabha constituency, Gadkari had openly espoused the cause of separate Vidarbha. However, he has been maintaining silence on the issue since his induction into the Union cabinet, Neole alleged.

“If Gadkari decides, he can deliver on the demand for separate state. The Centre has the discretion to carve out a new state without the consent of the Maharashtra Legislature,” he added.

A memorandum in support of the separate statehood was submitted to Gadkari’s staff as he was away in New Delhi to attend the ongoing Parliament session.