KOLHAPUR, Feb 21: Maharashtra Chief Minister Narayan Rane today said the demand by political parties for a separate Vidarbha state was ``politically motivated''.``We have always been in favour of an `undivided Maharashtra' and not a separate Vidarbha as is being nurtured by some persons to serve their own ends'', Rane said. Addressing a press conference at the government circuit house here, he alleged that the previous Congress government had done nothing for the all-round development of Vidarbha during its long rule.To a question, Rane said the State had already implemented the Fifth Pay Commission report and had to shoulder the burden of Rs 3,800 crore. The State had repeatedly asked the Centre to provide 50 per cent of the amount but to no avail, he added. ``As a result, we have failed to implement the Pay Commission recommendations to retired employees but are considering implementing the same at the earliest'', Rane added.
