Vidarbha issue goes to Cong panel

This is the second time Pranab Mukherjee committee has arranged a meeting with Congresmen on the statehood issue. The earlier meeting held last month turned out to be a big flop with not more than four legislators appearing before the committee. This time also, the lack of unanimity and unity is clearly evident. A small section of legislators is supporting Agriculture Minister Ranjit Deshmukh and Nagpur MP Vilas Muttemwar. A meeting of legislators organised by them at Akola failed to evoke any bigger response. Another group is planning to go to Delhi under the leadership of Chandrapur MP Naresh Pugalia. Yet another section of MLAs expressing loyalty to Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, is likely to stay away from the Delhi meeting.

The role of Congress legislators is considered as crucially important following the declaration by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar at the massive rally that the NCP would support the statehood demand. But the initiative must come from the Congress, which has the largest number of MLAs elected from Vidarbha region. The BJP, which is the second largest party in terms of number of elected MLAs from this region, has also made its stand clear. The BJP is bound by a resolution passed at a party convention about five years ago.

The Republican factions, one headed by Prakash Ambedkar and another by Ramdas Athawale, have also announced agitation programme on the statehood issue. Both factions are partners in the Congress-led ruling Democratic Front in the state.

Meanwhile, veteran Congress leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Nasikrao Tirpude has appealed to party president Sonia Gandhi to take an early decision on the statehood issue. He referred to recent statements by BJP and NCP leaders and said the much rests on the role of Congress party.

`Now the ball is in your court and entire responsibility rests with you in the capacity of Congress President,’ he has said. He has also appealed to Pranab Mukherjee to submit the committee report immediately after the October 14 meeting. On the basis of the committee report, the party should take an early decision, he added.