The State’s future should be decided on Telugu soil: Dr. JP

“When feelings are running high on both sides, Andhra Pradesh can neither be bifurcated nor kept united forcibly. In such a situation, the Union Government should not take any decision arbitrarily as in a monarchy, foist it on the State and dent the federal set-up in the process.”

That was what LokSatta Party national President Dr.Jayaprakash Narayan told a delegation of Andhra Pradesh RashtraParirakshanaVedika which called on him today at the party headquarters.

Dr. JP reiterated the party stand that it would welcome formation of Telangana as part of a comprehensive and amicable solution. The LokSatta Party is opposed to the Center imposing its decision in a dictatorial manner and fanning regional animosities without working out a comprehensive and amicable solution.

Pointing out that States are not municipalities but enjoy an equal status with the Center, Dr. JP said that the Center cannot take the Assembly for granted and ask people to convey their views by email. Such a stance is unconstitutional and harms the federal set-up.

Dr. JP recalled that immensely popular Jawaharlal Nehru and strong Indira Gandhi took decisions by respecting popular sentiments. Even a dictator like Stalin of the erstwhile Soviet Union dared not undo the States. How can a Center which cannot interfere in a State’s domain beyond a point unilaterally decide on the very existence of a State, Dr. JP asked.

The question whether Andhra Pradesh should be dividedinto two or three States or some other r arrangement has to be made must be settled on Telugu soil. If it can, the Center should facilitate such a dialogue and help in arriving at a comprehensive and amicable solution, said Dr. JP.

LokSatta Party State President Katari Srinivasa Rao took part in the meeting.

According to Vedika Coordinator V. Lakshmana Reddy, Dr JP pledged his party’s support to any attempt aimed at safeguarding the federal set-up.