Congress thinks that it has found a formula for reinventing itself and come to power with the help of the mantra of reorganizing States. BSP has tried to check-mate this by suggesting that Uttar Pradesh be trifurcated for its speedy development. However, this is easier said than done as the case of the smaller States is likely to open a Pandora’s Box. Also, there is the possibility of unbearable strain being put on the relations of the UPA partners.

by VIPIN AGNIHOTRI

It’s the season of new states. But all is not well as Congress is not sure whether another States Reorganization Commission (SRC) is a vote winner or an ally loser. No one is going to argue with the fact that India has come a long way from being a collective of 562 princely states scarred by Partition to a self-assured nation of 28 states. But the pivotal question is: Should India be divided into smaller States if the people of a region so demand?

In the last few days, focus has been shifted to Andhra Pradesh. It is worth mentioning in this regard that the demand for a separate State of Telangana is as old as the State of Andhra Pradesh. Though the first SRC had also explored the pros and cons of Telangana, it had ruled in favour of a ‘Vishal Andhra’, observing public opinion in Telangana had not ‘crystallized’.

At present, the demand has resurfaced under Telangana leader K Chandashekhar Rao. There is a buzz in the media that cine-star Chiranjeevi, who hails from Telangana, is also keen to peg his political ambitions on the issue. Congress has been cornered with BJP also supporting the cause of a separate Telangana.

There is also a demand for splitting Uttar Pradesh. Congress, which is struggling in the political front, has pulled this rabbit out of the hat. As a matter of fact, in the process it has surprised its own functionaries. After BSP supreme Mayawati swept the State and gave the Congress a scare as a spoiler in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, the Congress has found this new formula to re-invent itself in Uttar Pradesh.

However, as soon as the Congress proposed Bundelkhand and while heir-apparent Rahul Gandhi was still mouthing the ‘we want smaller States’ line, Mayawati called for trifurcation of Uttar Pradesh, with a Harit Pradesh being carved out of 23 districts in the western part of the State. Now, the ball is in Congress court whether to constitute a second SRC and allow it to examine the issue.

Most of the political experts are of the opinion that SRC question could stump the UPA coalition at the Centre. The Left’s reservations are well known. Point to be noted here is that the Left parties feel an SRC would revive the Gorkhaland demand in Darjeeling/North Bengal. It was on the Left’s insistence that the promise of a second SRC was dropped from the NCMP.

If the Left’s objections could stall the crucial India-United States nuclear deal, the Congress-led Government would not take chances with SRC formation. Because of this, Congress is now trying to delink the issue of Telangana from an SRC.

All of a sudden demands for States on linguistic lines or even ethnic ones (Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh) have moved to the economic development argument. However, there remains a fear that more States could lead to divisive politics. There are plenty of instances of unending disputes. For example, Orissa has been demanding the return of Saraikela and Kharsuan from Jharkhand. On the other hand, Nagaland wants to cut into large chunks of Manipur and certain forest areas of Assam to create Nagalim.

The BJP has always been in support of smaller States. While in power at the Centre, the NDA had carved out Uttaranchal (present day Uttarakhand), Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. Interestingly, BJP formed three new States without an SRC. According to BJP leaders, if the demands of the people are well defined then what is needed is will power and sensitivity.

There is no doubt that formation of an SRC could trigger demands other than Bundelkhand and Telangana. Initial signs are that there could be a demand for Gondwana, comprising portions of Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh; Kodagu from Karnataka’s coffee belt, Bodoland from Assam; Ladakh from Jammu and Kashmir; Garoland from Meghalaya; Mithilanchal from Bihar; and, of course, Gorkhaland from Bengal. This could well open a Pandora’s Box that would be real tough for any Government or political party to close.