MUMBAI: The renewed demand for a separate state of Vidarbha in the back of the Centre's decision to carve out Telangana from Andhra Pradesh has brought to fore differences in the Opposition Shiv Sena-BJP alliance.

The Sena today announced a five-day Vidarbha tour beginning January 16, by senior leader Diwakar Raote to "foil the bid to split Maharashtra by demanding separate Vidarbha state."

The party's stance is in stark contrast to state BJP leaders' support to fulfil the long-pending demand for a separate Vidarbha. Sena leaders have come out vehemently against splitting Maharashtra.

"The Sena has sounded a bugle against separate Vidarbha," party spokesperson Neelam Gorhe told PTI. "We are opposed to a separate Vidarbha state. We feel Vidarbha's development is possible even if the region remains a part of Maharashtra," senior Sena leader Subhash Desai said.

"Our party supremo Bal Thackeray believes in 'Sanyukta Maharashtra' (United Maharashtra) and we will not allow the state break into two parts," he said.