New Delhi: Congress on Wednesday launched a sharp
attack on UP Chief Minister Mayawati's announcement of
carving four states out of Uttar Pradesh dismissing it as a
"political gimmickry".
"Political gimmickry is no answer to real policy-making
decisions. Why suddenly after four years of inaugurating only
buildings and statues, the Chief Minister is remembering this
issue? Is it due to the frustration and desperation
after the success of Rahul Gandhis' rally?" party spokesperson
Abhishek Singhvi told reporters here.
He said Congress never believed in such kind of
"political stunt" and "playing politics" on issues of national
importance. "Our thinking is far-reaching. We do not believe
in any short-term knee-jerk reaction," Singhvi said.
Meanwhile sources in the party indicated though the
second State Reorganization Commission (SRC) is the only
logical answer if the statehood issue picks up, Congress is
not in a haste to firm up an opinion on constituting the
Commission, which can open a pandora's box by flaring up
similar demands in other states, further exacerbating problems
like Telangana.
A party leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, said
the possibility of setting up another SRC, if at all it has to
be done, is unlikely before the conclusion of assembly
elections in Uttar Pradesh.
At the AICC briefing, Singhvi said "we will cross the
bridge when it comes", when asked how will Congress react to
it if Mayawati government brings the resolution regarding it
in the state Assembly or after she gets it passed there and
throws the ball in the Centre's court.
"At the moment, we consider it nothing more than a
political gimmick", he said expressing confidence that the
issue would be over by the time Assembly elections are
concluded or even earlier.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, November 16, 2011, 20:26