New Delhi: With the Centre blinking on
the issue of formation of Telangana, RLD chief Ajit Singh
today decided to revive his demand for Harit Pradesh to be
carved out of Uttar Pradesh after the Parliament session.
"Centre's decision to bring a resolution in Andhra
Pradesh assembly on formation of Telangana is a welcome move.
It is a good beginning. I will convene a meeting with like
minded groups (those seeking smaller states) after the
Parliament session and revive my demand for Harit Pradesh,"
the Jat leader told PTI here tonight.
Singh, who has long been seeking formation of Harit
Pradesh, to be carved out of parts of western Uttar Pradesh,
said that unlike Andhra Pradesh, the situation in UP is
different "as there is a general consensus (among votaries of
separate Bundelkhand and Poorvanchal) for the state's
reorganisation".
"Even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, during his last
Varanasi visit, had said that he is all for smaller states.
There is a consensus for UP's reorganisation in the state's
assembly also. Sonia Gandhi had written in 2000 to then PM
Atalji, showing support for smaller states," Singh said.
He said despite all this, "there is a strange
phenomenon that such things happen only after agitations".
Singh said he would not like to comment on demands for
a Gorkhaland but demands for Vidarbha and Bundelkhand hold
logic and therefore these demands should be considered by the
government.
"Sometimes things happen after consultations or after
agitations. We want to discuss this issue (of Harit
Pradesh) with the Centre but cannot rule out the agitation
mode if things don't move fast," Singh said, adding the
government changed its stance on the sugarcane issue also
only after farmers had agitated.
PTI
First Published: Friday, December 11, 2009, 00:36