Nagpur: The Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday was forced to taste his own medicine when Vidarbha Rajya Andolan Samiti, fighting for separate Vidarbha, held demonstrations in city. The demonstrators wanted to remind Fadnavis his old promise on Vidarbha statehood. In fact, the activists of the Samiti had planned to hold demonstrations in front of Dharampeth-based residence of Chief Minister but were stopped midway by the police. Hundreds of demonstrators had gathered in Giripeth area and were readying to leave for CM’s residence but were detained then and there only.
Several activists were detained when they were having their lunch and forced to sit in police vans. The arrest action angered the Vidarbha protagonists who said that the Chief Minister was already informed and time was sought from him. The plan of action was also notified but still the police action was initiated, lamented the demonstrators. The President of Vidarbha Rajya Andolan Samiti Wamanrao Chatap charged the Chief Minister and his Government of adopting double standards on the Vidarbha statehood issue. “When Fadnavis was Leader of Opposition he used to support the separate Vidarbha demand and corner the then Government as well. And when we decided to remind him of his promise the Chief Minister has no time to spare.
The farmers in the State are in distress. Earlier, Fadnavis used to support us on our demands of Rs 6000 price for cotton, Rs 5000 for soybean, Rs 3000 for rice and waiver of farm loans. But now he himself has become Chief Minister but doing nothing for farmers. Suicides by farmers are increasing in Vidarbha,” stated Chatap.
Chatap warned that the Vidarbha Rajya Andolan Samiti will stage agitations during the entire Winter Session period.
In the meanwhile, the activists who were detained by police around 12 noon were taken to Police Headquarters and later released at about 5 pm.
Apart from Wamanrao Chatap those others who participated in the demonstrations include Shrinivas Khandewale, Ram Nevale, Haribhau Kedar, Umesh Chaube, Naresh Nimje, Arun Kedar and hundreds of activists.
