After govt denial, Cong bats for Bundelkhand authority

NEW DELHI: A day after the government denied considering a proposal on Bundelkhand that parties fear would alter the federal character of the country, Congress pushed the idea of a Bundelkhand Development Authority. Criticising BSP for opposing the concept, Congress asked the party to play "constructive politics" by allowing the idea to be debated in the House.

For the time being, Congress, which is trying to increase its sphere of influence in Uttar Pradesh, is persisting with it. "Do not reject ideas just because they emerge from Congress. This is not constructive politics... Without discussing, the proposal has been rejected. We strongly condemn it," party spokesperson Manish Tewari said.

The Congress managers argued that contrary to the Opposition's claim that the constitution of such an authority would not present an "assault" on the federal structure. Party managers cited Article 258 A of the Constitution, which allows states to entrust some of its functions to the Centre, either conditionally or unconditionally, to buttress their claim. However, their argument presents with some difficulties.

Aside from the fact that constitutional provision has been seldom invoked, it requires the state government to approach the Centre. Both Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh governments say that they were not being consulted. Senior Congress leaders also accept that as an idea it is untenable, especially as there are two states involved.

Giving figures from supplementary budget of UP, Mr Tewari said the BSP government allocated Rs 553 crore of the total budget for construction of parks and statues while only Rs 6.15 crore was allocated for development of Bundelkhand and Poorvanchal. "This is the story of the priorities of the UP government. The state is lagging behind in development," Mr Tewari said.

Explaining the Congress position, the spokesperson said that the party had shown its sensitivity towards the region by seeking a package of Rs 8,000 crore for the area. "While the BSP government was more concerned about statues and monuments".

Mr Tewari denied the party has opened a Pandora���s box by demanding a separate authority and claimed that by taking up the issue with the prime minister, it has in fact opened the debate on how to accelerate development in regions left lagging behind.

The Congress spokesperson also pointed out that the idea came from the AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi and not the government.