CPI(M) opposes separate Telangana

The CPI(M) reiterated that it would oppose any move on the formation of a separate Telangana state even while advising the people to vote for the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) only as a last resort.

"Where there is no Left, Congress party candidates, not even an independent candidate is available with fair chances of winning, then vote for TRS candidates to defeat the TDP-BJP combine," B V Raghavulu, secretary of the party state committee, said.

Even though the Congress has tied up with TRS and the two left parties in the ensuing elections, the TRS has pitted its candidates in all the Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies where CPI and CPI(M) have been contesting. The TRS ire towards CPI(M) is more because the latter is vociferously opposing the separate statehood demand.

Replying to a question in a meet the press programme, Raghavulu clarified that his party has been opposing the separate statehood demand as a matter of policy.

"There is a design of weakening the states to the level of municipalities and this is the reason behind the idea of smaller states put forth by BJP. They want to establish Hindu Rashtra with an all powerful centre with no possible resistance from the states," he alleged.

He said that CPI(M) did not act on any issue based just upon the average citizen's perception or sentiment, while replying to a question as to why the party opposed the demand for a Telangana state.

Raghavulu has also clarified his party's stand towards reviving legislative council in the state. "It is clear that the Congress party has promised to revive the legislative council to appease its leaders who have not got the party tickets in the ensuing elections. But we will not support the move either as it serves no useful purpose," he stated.

Replying to a question on poll surveys, Raghavulu said that, surveys and actual peoples pulse are going exactly in the opposite direction. "That is why we want to believe in the mood of people rather than surveys. Meetings and rallies of opposition parties have been witnessing spontaneous response from the people all over the state," Raghavulu said.

Asked to comment on the rumblings in Congress and TRS he said that the ruling TDP was facing more dissidence than the opposition. "I don't think this will have any impact on the judgement of voters," he observed.