The 1956 States Reorganization Commission (SRC) was a flawed exercise as states were carved out on linguistic basis which resulted in some of the states being large and administratively ungovernable; while some being very small unable to generate sustainable taxes to run the administration. As state assembly elections in nine states and parliament is drawing closer fresh demands are being made for creation of five states; Uttar Pradesh chief minister, Ms. Mayawati promising to bifurcate the state in three parts, Andhra Pradesh to be divided into two as well as Maharashtra partitioned into two, namely, Vidarbha and Marathwada as separate states because these regions are backward. There is also a muted demand for bifurcating the state of Jammu & Kashmir in three independent units, namely, the Kashmir Valley, Jammu and Ladakh, the latter given the status of a Union Territory.
The Congress in Andhra Pradesh finds itself in a quandary. Chief minister Rajasekhara Reddy staunchly opposes bifurcation of the state. Many Congress representatives from Telangana know that they stand no chance of retain-ing their seats unless they take a firm stand on separation; have threatened to resign en masse unless the party leadership in Delhi declares its intention to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh. Telangana is the home of most of the backward castes. No party in Andhra Pradesh can aspire to come to power in the next election. While the CPI has realized the mood of the people and changed its opposition to statehood for Telangana, the CPM is the main stumbling block in the UPA to granting the demand.
India has come a long way from being a collective of 562 princely states to a self-assured nation of 28 states. It all started with when in 1952, Sriramulu, a freedom fighter fasted for 50 days demanding a separate state for Telugus (today’s Andhra Pradesh) and died. Moved by the death of the 51-year-old Sriramulu, Nehru formed a three member SRC in 1953 to look into regional demands. Over the last few years, the scene has once again shifted to Andhra Pradesh. 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 favor of United Andhra, observing public opinion in Telangana had not crystallized.
Telangana leader, K. Chandrashekhar Rao, Cine-star Chiranjeevi, is also keen to peg his political ambitions on the issue. With the BJP supporting the cause of a separate Telangana, the Congress has been cornered. This is a promise the Congress had made in its manifesto for the Andhra Pradesh elections in 2004. Formation of an SRC could trigger demands other than Bundelkhand and Telangana. There could be a demand for Gondwana, comprising portions of Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh and many more. Creation of more states on linguistic basis will create nothing but more fuss and chaos.