Pro-Vidarbha activist and former Advocate General Srihari Aney on Monday sent a resolution demanding a separate state to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The resolution – sent as Maharashtra celebrated Statehood Day – was signed in blood by 10,000 people, The Times of India reported on Tuesday.

Called the “Raktkranti Andolan” and organised by the Vidarbha Rajya Aghadi, which has been spearheading the demand for a separate state to be carved out of Maharashtra, the signature campaign was replicated across the drought-hit region and evoked a strong response in cities such as Akola, Gondia and Yavatmal.

The main campaign was conducted at the organisation’s office in Dhantoli and was followed by a flag-hoisting ceremony at Vishnuji ki Rasoi. President Ravi Sanyal and senior members Neeraj Khandewale, Surendra Pardhi, Shailendra Harode and Sandesh Singalkar were present. Aney, who resigned in March 2016 after creating a furore with his pro-separate state comments, hoisted a ‘Vidarbha’ flag and shouted anti-government slogans.

Senior pro-Vidarbha activists such as social worker Umesh Chaube, former Nagpur University Vice Chancellor Haribhau Kedar, former Director General of Police PKB Chakraborty, economist Shriniwas Khandewale and Jan Manch President Anil Kilor were also present at the event.