BJP meets at Nagpur, skirts Vidarbha issue

BJP meets at Nagpur, skirts Vidarbha issue
PRADIP KUMAR MAITRA

NAGPUR, AUG 27: If the first day of the BJP's Nagpur conclave is anything to go by, there is bad news ahead for protagonists of Vidarbha. In spite of a resolution favouring statehood for Vidarbha, the seems party disinclined or unable to thrust the agenda on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government.

For all the euphoria and expectations, the issue of a separate statehood for Vidarbha did not figure in today's discussion at the BJP conclave, attended by 125 members of the National Executive. The meeting was chaired by the outgoing president of the party, Kushabhau Thakre.

Sources say while the issue may figure in the meetings to be held over the next two days, August 27 and 28, it would remain to the extent of reaffirming that if the state legislature were to pass a resolution, the Union Government could consider it. This appears rather unlikely as the party might not insist upon its legislators initiating such a move in the state legislature at the risk of antagonising its principal ally, Shiv Sena, which has been opposed to the demand from the very beginning.

As late as yesterday, Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly and Sena leader Narayan Rane reiterated that his party would not allow the bifurcation of Maharashtra.

BJP general secretary M. Venkaiah Naidu also made it clear here today that the BJP as a party would never thrust its agenda on the NDA Government. ``But our stand is well-known. We are in favour of separate statehood for Vidarbha. As the issue was not included in the NDA agenda, we can't press for it,'' he defended, adding that it was only the Congress which was more confused over the issue.

Without naming the Congress, Naidu said he often wondered what these people (Congressmen) had been doing for 40 years when they had the reins of power. According to him, they preferred to keep mum when they ruled the country but were now raising a hue and cry.