Amid growing clamour for creation of smaller states, New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah today opposed such demands. “How much more can you divide India. I was never in favour of creation of smaller states. Today also, I am not in favour of smaller states,” he told reporters outside Parliament.
The Minister’s remark comes against the backdrop of several parties and organisations demanding new states, taking a cue from the Telangana issue.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has already favoured creation of three new states out of her state - Bundelkhand, Paschimanchal and Poorvanchal.
The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, on the other hand, began a 96—hour shutdown in the Darjeeling Hills from today demanding creation of Gorkhaland out of West Bengal.
In Abdullah’s home state of Jammu and Kashmir too, some organisations are demanding a separate Jammu state.
