CPI: Telangana inevitable, but only after talks

Any move to constitute a second States Reorganisation Commission to resolve the Telangana crisis will “open a Pandora’s box,” triggering further demands for splitting States, the Communist Party of India cautioned on Wednesday.

The Congress, which had left the Telangana issue hanging fire for years, made a “hasty midnight announcement in panic [that the process would be initiated for formation of a separate State].” It failed to take into confidence even its own allies, Mr. Bardhan told journalists after the three-day CPI national council meeting here.

While re-affirming the party’s support for formation of a Telangana State, he said mooting a commission was a “delaying tactic.” It would only drag the issue for two or more years, pushing all other burning issues to the background.

Mr. Bardhan criticised the Congress high command for failing to rein in the party leaders who were spearheading agitations for and against Telangana. Formation of Telangana was “inevitable” but it should take place after consultations and persuasion.

On other issues, Mr. Bardhan said “mining mafia” were gaining control in all mineral-rich Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Orissa. They had become a “force for destabilising governments.” The CPI sought a review of the National Mineral Policy to safeguard the interests of the States and workers.

Price rise

Hitting out at the Centre’s inability to check prices, he said the government was coming up with lame excuses for its failure. This was “surprising [coming as it does] from a government headed by a renowned economist.” The proposed Food Security Act was likely to result in “less foodgrains at higher prices.”

Mr. Bardhan opposed the move towards merger of banks which, he said, would result in fewer branches and farmers not being able to access credit.

Expressing concern over agriculture being in a state of “chronic crisis,” he said the sector was being pushed into a deeper crisis with huge projects taking over fertile land. “Which project or Special Economic Zone would require 5,000 acres?” This was only a ploy by real estate lobbies.