MNS activists disrupt pro-Vidarbha outfit’s press conference

Mumbai, Sep 13 (PTI) Activists of Raj Thackeray-ledMNS today allegedly disrupted a press conference called by anoutfit seeking statehood for Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. MNS is strongly opposed to any division ofMaharashtra. Dozens of MNS workers, led by Corporator SandeepDeshpande, allegedly barged into the conference, organised byVidarbha Rajya Andolan Samiti at Press Club in South Mumbai,and asked the media persons covering the event to leave thevenue. They also forced the conference organises to wind upthe press meet. "We cannot and would not ever tolerate creation of aseparate Vidarbha. We believe in Akhand (united) Maharashtra.We will fight for Akhand Maharashtra and would do whatever ittakes (to keep the state united)," Deshpande said. The Samiti is among a handful of organisations whichare leading a movement for decades demanding statehood forVidarbha, a cotton-rich region in eastern Maharashtra. PTI APMRSY AARBAS