Telangana? Yes, but SRC should study other demands: BJP

NEW DELHI: The BJP, which supports creation of Telangana state, has favoured setting up of a state reorganisation commission for studying Gorkhaland issue.

"I think it is not only a legitimate aspiration of the people of Telangana, but the whole concept of a smaller state helping a developmental process stands conclusively established," BJP leader Arun Jaitley said on the Srikrishna Commission report on the issue of statehood to Telangana.

Citing examples of Himachal Pradesh, Uttranchal and Haryana, Jaitley said, "Our experience of smaller states so far has been positive both as administrative units of governance ... a smaller state helps and that's the rational for a neglected region like Telangana".

Asked about the issue of Gorkhaland and that the people there feel "neglected", he said, "These are all areas which some legitimate body, some constitutional body has not considered... a state reorganisation commission or a body of another kind.

"Let there be a state reorganisation commission for that matter but Telangana has been debated for 30 years for us to formulate an opinion," the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha told Karan Thapar on 'Devil's Advocate' programme.

He said the BJP would not oppose formation of a state reorganisation commission.