CM must resign for backing statehood for Vidarbha: Raj Thackeray

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Monday demanded the resignation of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for his support to statehood for the Vidarbha region. He also alleged that "a conspiracy is being hatched in Nagpur to sever Mumbai from Maharashtrians”.

Speaking to the media, the MNS chief questioned the chief minister on his stance and pointed to how, in 2013, Fadnavis had voted in favour of a separate state of Vidarbha in a poll organised by a group seeking public opinion on the issue. Not just that, after voting, he had posted his photos on Facebook stating that he had voted for a separate Vidarbha, the MNS chief claimed.

"Devendra Fadnavis must clarify on this issue now," he said, adding that "if he had voted for a Vidarbha state, does this Devendra Fadnavis have the right to be on the position of the chief minister of Maharashtra?"

The MNS chief also attacked the Shiv Sena and the BJP for not decorating the Hutatma memorial at Flora Fountain on May 1, Maharashtra's foundation day.