Centre has not rejected statehood demand, only kept in on hold

PUDUCHERRY: The Centre has not rejected Puducherry government's plea for statehood, but only kept it on hold, Chief Minister V Vaithilingam said here today.

"The plea for statehood has been put on hold. It has not been rejected at all," he told PTI.

He cited "disturbed conditions and changed environment" for the Centre's move to keep the decision in abeyance, apparently referring to the situation arising out of the Centre's plans on carving Telengana state out of Andhra Pradesh.

Vaithlingam's reaction came in response to a question on AIADMK MLA A Anbalagan's claim that the plea of the union territory for statehood had been rejected by the Centre.

Anbalagan had said the Union Home ministry had sent a letter to Puducherry Chief Secretary in this regard a few days back.