Maharashtra: AAP to support separate Vidarbha demand

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) while addresing a press conference on Thursday said it will support Vidarbha as a separate state. In a conference held at Shivaji Mandir, Dadar they announced alliance with 17 parties, among which some are working in Vidarbha too. The party further said that it will contest all seats in Mumbai, and of the 25 seats it is certain of contesting in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
“We are contesting for smaller states and I personally support the separate Vidarbha demand. My father was part of Samyukta Maharashtra movement to get Mumbai into Maharashtra. But back then state’s population was two crore and now it is 12 crore, hence is difficult for us to manage that. A person in Gadchiroli has to come all the way here,” said Brigadier Sudhir Sawant, party president in state.
Among the 17 parties that have joined under the banner of Samrudha Maharashtra Aghadi are Jan Suryajya Party, Vidarbha Majha, Srihari Aney’s Vidarbha Rajya Aghadi, MLA Bachchu Kadu’s Prahar Janshakti, Bahujan Republic Socialist Party, Wamanrao Chatap’s Vidarbha Rajya Andolan Samiti, Khobragade’s Republican Party among others. The party is looking to get support of Raju Shetti and others. In Mumbai they are also considering tie-ups with Samajwadi and other parties. “We want to defeat BJP. Our entering the fray will ensure that people who do not want to give votes to BJP and Congress will give us votes,” said Sawant.

Sawant said that the front’s name could change if incoming partners insist on something else particularly those looking to appeal farmers and representing them. “We are still in talks with some. We will finalise that soon. I may contest from Mumbai,” said Sawant whose party has decided to contest 10 for now and give rest to partners.
The party did not contest last elections and saw most of its candidates forfeited their deposit. When asked about networking in the city to attract voters, he said that they would show the Delhi Development Model as an example. “We reduced bills and have provided some facilities free. That helped reduce corruption and saving money. Our work in the administration has given us self confidence,” added Sawant.