Bangalore, Dec 30 (IANS) The Communist Party of India (CPI) has favoured formation of Telangana as a separate state but only after evolving a consensus among the people and other political parties in Andhra Pradesh.
“We support Telangana as a separate state. But the process should be taken up after forging a consensus through wider consultation with the people of the state and various political parties in the undivided state,” CPI general secretary A.B. Bardhan told reporters here.

In a resolution on the contentious demand, the party’s national council urged the central government to hold an all-party meeting soon on forming a separate Telangana state to end the political crisis paralyzing Andhra Pradesh.

“The Congress is trying to claim exclusive credit for creating Telangana and score over other parties to short circuit the entire process,” Bardhan said.

Castigating the hasty midnight announcement made by Union Home minister P. Chidambaram Dec 9, the party said the coalition partners in the United Progressive Alliance government were not even consulted on such a major event that divided the people of across the state, comprising the Telangana, coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions.

“The Congress leaders in both regions of the state are engaged in whipping sentiments for and against the formation of Telangana. Its leadership should stop this game by controlling and disciplining its own members,” Bardhan pointed out.

Opposing the move to constitute a second reorganisation commission, the party said such an attempt would open a Pandora’s box and encourage elements in all states to engage in the campaign for splitting up their states further.

“Such an exercise will divert the people’s attention from other pressing issues such as price rise, food security and job loss. The Congress should prevail upon its Andhra Pradesh unit to move a resolution in the legislative assembly for a peaceful formation of Telangana,” Bardhan said citing the resolution.