THE Centre’s decision to grant statehood to Uttarakhand has touched a raw nerve and revived the call for a separate state in Vidarbha. For the first time since the region joined Maharashtra 36 years ago, all political parties except the Shiv Sena have taken up the demand for statehood for Vidarbha. The BJP, for long the only main party backing the issue, had softened its demand in deference to the Shiv Sena, only to find its plank being usurped by the Congress whose leaders are now ardently supporting the cause with resolutions, rallies and appeals in Delhi.