Manavi Deopura
21.02.2010.
In a bid to de-politicise and justify his stance for a separate Vidarbha, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis has vowed that he would not participate in the first elections of a separate Vidarbha, if carved out.
“We are facing a crisis of credibility,” Fadnavis said about leaders in general. “People don’t trust their leaders any more, especially the youth. In order to restore the faith of the people in the motives of my party’s stand for a separate state of Vidarbha, I have decided that I shall not participate in the first government-making process, if a separate Vidarbha is granted. People should know that we believe in what we are fighting for rather than merely advocating it for poltical gains.”
Arguing that the issue of Vidarbha is not a political one, Fadnavis stresses its socio-economic character. “Vidarbha is not a Congress or BJP issue. I don’t want to politicise it by saying it belongs to a single party’s agenda. The formation of this state shouldn’t be on an emotional or electoral basis. We stand by it because it would ultimately benefit the economically and socially disadvantaged regions of eastern Maharasthra which are mostly tribal.”
Vidarbha, struggling with its lack of infrastructure and irrigation facilities, heavy load-shedding, unemployment and negligence of administration has been languishing due to poor rains and Naxal mischief.
Fadnavis added that unless people are actively involved with and informed about Vidarbha, it is unlikely gain popular support. “We must make people understand that it is as much their concern and responsibility as any political party’s. Our task is to spread awareness about how a separate Vidarbha would result in the inclusive development of the region. Unless they support and take up this cause, we cannot make headway,” Fadnavis said.
Reflecting colleague and BJP president Nitin Gadkari’s view on the matter of spreading awareness and making democratic issues like Vidarbha popular and participatory, Fadnavis advocates compulsory voting for all, not just across Vidarbha or Maharasthra but across the country. “If any change is to be seen in the status quo, voting must be an obligation and not just a privilege,” Fadnavis concluded. Gadkari had said earlier in the year that he wanted the Congress to introduce a bill to this effect in the Parliament.
