CPM wants Centre to come clear on demand for new states

HYDERABAD: Demanding that the Congress clearly spell out what its idea was in respect to the proposed division of Andhra Pradesh, CPM politburo member Sitaram Yechury today asserted that it was the responsibility of the Centre to handle demands for new states.

"There are demands for creation of 28 new states across the country. It is the responsibility of the Centre how it will handle demands for new states," Yechury, who was here to take part in the CPM AP state executive meeting, told reporters.

Yechury recalled that a decade after independence, when demand for new states was raised, the country agreed upon a criterion for formation of news states and it was language.

Referring to the ongoing agitation for a Gorkhaland state, the CPM leader demanded that the Centre immediately "intervene and act".

"Sikkim remained isolated for the past four days while other north-east states too lost communication because the main road linking these states has been closed due to the Gorkhaland agitation," he pointed out.

He wondered what the fate of the proposed AP bifurcation Bill would be as there was uncertainty over the winter session of Parliament.

"The Centre ruled out moving the Bill in the monsoon session and, going by the procedure involved, it can be introduced only in the winter session. But there is political uncertainty, causing doubt whether or not there will be another session of Parliament," Yechury noted.

Another member of CPM politburo B V Raghavulu asserted that the proposed bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh would not reduce the regional imbalances in the three regions of the state.

"There will be many problems even in the new states (whenever they come into existence). Backward regions even in Telangana, Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra will not improve due to the liberalized policies. Special plans are needed for development of these backward regions. All this should be made part of the proposed (state) division plan," Raghavulu demanded.