Shiv Sena supports the cause of a unified Maharashtra, while the BJP, which favours smaller states, wants Vidarbha to be granted statehood.
Former Advocate General of Maharashtra Shrihari Aney has been blasted by Shiv Sena MP and editor of Saamna Sanjay Raut for his demand for statehood for Vidarbha and Marathwada.
In the scathing article, Raut goes as far as to compare Aney to the mastermind of 26/11 Mumbai attacks Hafiz Saeed. Shiv Sena supports the cause of a unified Maharashtra, while the BJP, which favours smaller states, wants Vidarbha to be granted statehood. Many are seeing Aney's timing of making the statements on Vidarbha and Marathwada as part of a larger BJP design to create smaller states.
Raut also takes a dig at the Fadnavis government by saying, "The CM is from Vidarbha and he did nothing to stop Aney when he first raised the point of separate state for Vidarbha."
"We respect the intellect of Aney, but his despise for a unified Maharashtra is a cause of worry. Appointing Aney for the post of advocate general of Maharashtra is just like appointing Hafeez Saeed as Pakistan High Commissioner in Delhi," wrote Raut.
Aney's resignation over separate statehood was not only a blow to the state government but also to the CM, as it was Fadnavis who was instrumental in bringing in Aney as the AG.
After his resignation, Aney had made it clear that he would continue to raise the voice for the issue of a separate Vidarbha state.
Speaking to dna over the phone on Thursday, Aney said, "Yes, I would be addressing a rally at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on March 31. But I am not a leader in the classic sense of the word. I am a conscience-keeper of the movement. I think a leader has to emerge."
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 "Shrihari Aney Sanjay Raut")
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