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The Rediff Interview/Ranjit Deshmukh

'Vidarbha is more viable than other new states'

Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Ranjit Deshmukh is spearheading the movement for a separate Vidarbha state, giving sleepless nights to Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh.

In an interview to rediff.com's Syed Firdaus Ashraf, he claimed that 90 per cent parliamentarians and legislators from Vidarbha were with him. "When Chhattisgarh, Jharkand and Uttaranchal can be created, why not Vidarbha? It is more viable than those states."

According to him, except for the Shiv Sena and Congress, major parties have agreed to the new state. He said he would camp in New Delhi till September 15, to explain his position to the Congress high command. Excerpts from the interview:

Why is there a need for Vidarbha?

The need has been felt for 40 years, at different levels, different stages and different times. Chhattisgarh, Uttaranchal and Jharkhand are smaller than Vidarbha and are non-viable. When the Centre can create non-viable states, why not Vidarbha?

How many parliamentarians and legislators from Vidarbha are with you?

All of them.

Is there any written commitment from them?

That is not necessary as every elected member from Vidarbha is openly for a separate state.

If every region asks for a separate state, will there not be a problem for our country's unity?

We were a separate state in the central province. It is a viable state. And it is different from other parts of Maharashtra. So there is no need for other regions to seek statehood. Moreover, culturally too we are different from other parts of Maharashtra. Go to Pune or Nagpur and you will notice the difference in language and cultural customs.

When will you meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi, to press for statehood?

We have sought an appointment and I may meet her on September 14 or 15.

But she has already stated that she will look into the performance of the newly-formed states and then decide on Vidarbha.

We want to bring to her notice that there can be no comparison between non-viable states and Vidarbha. At present, 17 states are non-viable financially and even Maharashtra is facing a deficit. This is because every rupee earned goes into repayment of loans. How can a state be financially viable?

What about revenue generation in Vidarbha?

That has been checked by the Fazal Ali Commission, set up in the 1950s. It's conclusion was that Vidarbha will financially, politically and religiously be the most viable state. Moreover, the commission also studied the demarcations of Telangana in Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh too. And it found that only Vidarbha was financially viable.

Is not your statement creating a rift in the Congress?

(Angrily) Who is opposing Vidarbha? It is only Congress leaders who are not from Vidarbha region. People from western Maharashtra have always dominated the region.

How much revenue is generated from Vidarbha and how much is contributed to the region?

I will have to check out the papers.

The Shiv Sena has always opposed the creation of Vidarbha. What are you doing about it?

It has a clear stance opposing a separate state. But the Bharatiya Janata Party is supporting Vidarbha, the Nationalist Congress Party is supporting it, two factions of the Republican Party and Samajwadi Party are also supporting it. If one party does not support our stand, there is no problem for us.

Should there be a ballot among the people of Vidarbha on statehood?

Ninety per cent of the people's representatives support a Vidarbha state and we represent the people.

Even the Centre has to be taken into confidence?

It has already taken a stand. We will approach the Centre as soon as the Congress decides.

But there are certain Congress leaders from Vidarbha opposing it?

It is only those who do not have employment. They have not been elected by the people and have no right to talk against the creation of a state.

What will you do it your demands are not accepted by the Congress high command?

This is hypothetical. Let us meet Sonia first.

Will you resign if your demand is not accepted?

Why should I? In a democracy, every person has the right to express his views. The majority decides. So, why should I resign? It's a hypothetical question.

The Rediff Interviews

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