CPM opposed to division of state: Raghavulu

A division of Andhra Pradesh is not the right solution to the Telangana issue, stated Communist Party (Marx) state secretary B V Raghavulu on Friday while submitting his party's report to the Srikrishna Committee.

 Submitting its report to Justice Srikrishna Committee members at Lake view Guest House here, Raghavulu told reporters the party was opposed to the bifurcation of the state.

 He said the formation of smaller states will weaken the federal principle in the country and lead to fissiparous activities. The CPM has always stressed the need for a strong Centre and strong federal structure to strengthen national unity and integrity, he pointed out.

 Raghavulu said the restructuring of the states on the basis of language for administrative convenience has no sanctity under the statute. He said the Telangana region was backward since the days of the Nizam.

 He suggested the Srikrishna Committee to identify the backward regions and take steps for their development by establishing educational institutions and industries.

 “The division of the state is not the solution to the problems of backwardness. It will be misleading to conclude that a separate state per se will ensure development. The problems of underdevelopment and socio-economic backwardness have to be tackled through specific measures,” he said.

 Srikrishna committee should accord priority to irrigation projects in backward regions of Telangana and other backward areas of Andhra Pradesh, he suggested.