The CPI(M), fearful of the repercussions in West Bengal from Gorkhaland activists, on Thursday opposed the formation of a separate Telangana state, saying it would open a pandora's box of demands for smaller states.
"Though it is a good initiative taken (by the Centre) to defuse the situation in Andhra Pradesh, we have been opposed to the formation of separate states. However, our opposition did not stop the formation of Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand which have seen no development since they came into being," CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury told reporters.
Noting that formation of a new state was a long process, he said he would reserve his comments on the matter till the Centre came out with its concrete plans to create a new Telengana state.
Observing that any decision to carve out a state from Andhra Pradesh would open a pandora's box, he said such a move would create instability and disturbance as there were already demands for separate states in various parts of the country.
"Our position has been that reorganisation of states should be done only on the basis of the linguistic criteria. No new criteria should be adopted for the purpose," he said, adding that combating backwardness of these regions should be the priority of the government.
Yechury held the Congress for being "singularly responsible" for the backwardness of Telangana region as it had remained in power in Andhra Pradesh most of the time.
"Smaller states not only weaken the federal structure, they become more dependent on the Centre for funds. The three new states still remain backward," he said. PTI
