The political repercussions of demand for statehood would have a big impact on Congress which has maximum MLAs from the cotton growing belt. The Centre reckons political problems because of BJP eagerness to steer an agitation in Vidarbha. State BJP president Devendra Fadnavis said, "The BJP certainly supports separate state concept for Vidarbha as it believes in smaller state theory."
The Opposition dismissed the financial package from Centre as an eyewash. What has upset the Opposition is the failure of state government to uniformly announce Rs 25,000 per hectare compensation to farmers as it had always extended to counterparts in sugarcane belt in western Maharashtra in the past. Incidentally, BJP's demand is supported by Congress members from Vidarbha.
The CM also discussed with Centre long-term plans to mitigate the problems faced by the farmers in Vidarbha. Of the total package, Rs 500 crore will be spent on roads, Rs 600 crore on relief and rehabilitation and remaining on long-term plans. An all-party delegation had met Chavan last week and appealed for the package. MPCC chief Manikrao Thakre had asked for Rs 2,000 crore package from the Centre.
Earlier, during his discussions with Rahul, the CM also expressed concerns related to Parliament polls. Chavan indicated the possibility of Cabinet ministers contesting the LS polls but refused to divulge the details.