There is no scientific basis for the decision to bifurcate the state and the decision has been taken purely for political reasons, Union textiles minister Kavuri Sambasiva Rao has said.
Addressing a media conference at his residence here on Saturday, he said that changes in democracy were normal but the state should not be divided for political reasons as such a development did not bode well for any region.
However, he sidestepped the question as to whether he was indicating any particular political reason. Stating that his opinion on the bifurcation remained unchanged and he still felt that state should remain united. ‘’There is no truth in reports that I have made a U-turn. I still stick to my opinion and have never changed my mind after becoming Union minister,’’ he said.
He said his opinion was given keeping in view what is best for the entire state and not any particular region. ‘’Andhra Pradesh is a complete state, with good geographical and natural resources distribution. While one region can focus on agriculture, other can on industrial growth. Bifurcation will hamper such a comprehensive and overall growth,’’ he said. Kavuri said he had seen five Parliaments as its member and felt that the state which sent 42 members to the Lok Sabha earned a good respect which should be retained in tact. ‘’Division will only bring problems. Any problem or differences in the state can be sorted out through dialogue.’’
Creation of smaller states like Gorkhaland and Bodoland, as favoured by the BJP, would prove detrimental to national integrity. ‘’Smaller states will only bring problems. Jharkhand, with 14 MPs, is never politically stable. Every other day there is a change in the government with MLAs changing their loyalty. That has never been the case in bigger states like Andhra Pradesh.’’
The Srikrishna Committee had taken into account the opinion of every stakeholder _ from political leaders to the common man. But its report was not discussed while taking the decision on bifurcation, he pointed out. “For the last four years the party high command has been indecisive. Sometimes it leaned to one side and at others to other. Nine Union ministers from the state have one thought and their efforts resulted in the appointment of a committee to come out with an appropriate solution.
‘’We have given our opinion and urged the prime minister and other decisionmakers in Congress high command to reconsider the decision on state’s bifurcation. The final decision has not been taken yet. We are making our best efforts. Whatever the final decision, we will abide by it,’’ he said. About Kiran Kumar differing with the high command’s decision, he initially tried to downplay Reddy’s comments but, on being pressed for his reaction, said the chief minister and the PCC chief should voice the opinion of all people of the state as a whole not speak on behalf of a particular region.