NCP criticises Centre’s hasty move on Telangana

NEW DELHI: The Centre’s handling of the Telangana issue came in for severe criticism from within the UPA again on Sunday when NCP termed the decision as “hasty”.

“By hastily announcing the creation of a new state of Telangana, government of India has created a new problem,” senior NCP leader P A Sangma said while presenting the political resolution at the day-long national convention of NCP here.

The resolution, which favoured setting up of a new state reorganisation commission, was critical of the Centre’s handling of the issue. “The announcement of the Centre, agreeing to the creation of a separate Telangana state, has led to a political crisis, pushing the states to a battlefield.

Inspired by the stand of the central government, more and more political parties are demanding formation of new states. NCP does not agree to the approach of deciding things in a haphazard manner,” the resolution said.

Congress, which took the decision without consulting the allies, only informed them about the circumstances that led to the announcement at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA). At the meeting of CCPA, ministers like Mamata Banerjee had said that her party will not back the move.

The political crisis in Andhra Pradesh has already forced the government to put the issue in deep freezer. But inaction on the promise could create problems. It is evident from the sharp divide over pro and anti-Telangana lines in the state.

Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK supremo M Karunanidhi had also blamed a “hasty announcement” on Telangana for the present situation in Andhra Pradesh.

Coming back to the NCP meeting, it blamed the “rug-pulling activities” of Congress for its poor show in the Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra as also in Goa and Bihar.