Express News Service
Last Updated : 14 Jun 2011 12:21:28 PM IST
HYDERABAD: Though the CPM opposes the demand for state’s bifurcation, its Politburo member Sitaram Yechuri, who hails from the Andhra region, admits that a strong sentiment is sweeping through Telangana for a separate state.
Speaking at a meet-the-press organised by the AP Union of Working Journalists here on Monday, Yechuri said: “As there is a strong sentiment for Telangana, the Constitution has been amended several times.” Recalling his experience as a student, he said, “I was a Nizam College student. I was also a Mulki as I had studied in Hyderabad for 12 years. Due to the separatist agitation led by M Chenna Reddy, I moved to Delhi to continue my studies. Otherwise, I would have lost one academic year. An amendment to the Constitution, 371(D), was made in 1971.” He, however, asserted that his party favoured linguistic states and opposed the creation of Uttaranchal, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. “But though we had opposed formation of the three new states, the CPM is contesting elections in all the three,” he said and added that CPM’s opposition need not come in the way of the central government creating Telangana state.
“The Centre has to take a decision based on Srikrishna Committee’s report. It can not abdicate its responsibility of taking a decision. But it is dragging its feet on the issue,” Sitaram said. To a volley of questions on the Telangna issue, the CPM leader said he did not want to enter into an argument on the justification of the demand for a new state. “The question had better be directed at those who can take a decision,” he shot back.
On the performance of the UPA government, the expert on economic affairs said the UPA-2 was undermining the common minimum programme (CMP).
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