A word of precaution before we celebrate the formation of the second State Reorganisation Commission

By Barun Roy - One of our readers, Salil Chettri surmises prudently when he writes, “too much [hope] too early [on the issue of State Reorganisation Commission could be stupidity].” The news that originated through CNN-IBN that the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is toying with an idea of forming the Second State Reorganisation Commission is based solely on the statement made by Veerappa Moily, a former Congress Chief Minister of Karnataka.  (Inset: Veerappa Moily) Moily himself denies the assumption that he had indeed used the words “the Prime Minister is toying with the idea….” When asked to clarify by an Outlook scribe, Moily replied, “The UPA Government is considering of setting up of a State Reorganisation Commission to review demand of the states like Telengana and Vidharbaha.” About the similar demands for states like Gorkhaland, he equips that “they can send in their nominations to the SRC.” Now for the equations to be settled, Moily has his own agenda which is Telengana. A rise in the hope that Telengana could be a reality soon could well see Moily’s own career in the rise. So can this be a simple Veerappa Moily fabrication and not an issue in the AICC Central Committee Agenda – possibly. The Prime Minister is yet to comment on the idea that the nation have been told he is ‘toying’ with. Party spokesman, Shakeel Ahmed in a recent press conference said, “It would be difficult for creation of any new state without the formation of the commission [SRC],” making it clear that the Government has not taken any decision on the matter so far. Shakeel also said that the Congress was in favour of amicable resolution of such issues [demand for newer states] by consultations with all stakeholders [concerned states]. He further said that the Government was in consultation with the administrative reforms commission and would do what it thought is fit. About the demands and the agitations for carving out separate states including Telengana, Gorkhaland, Vidarbha, Harit Pradesh, the issue has been a politically ticklish one. Minister for External Affairs, Pranab Mukherjee, had after heading the UPA sub-committee on the issue made clear that the job was complex and not “like instant coffee”. Telengana Rashtriya Samiti, a partner of the UPA Government, has been maintaining that separate Telengana should be carved out of Andhra Pradesh. Moily’s reactions could well have been aimed at pleasing him and most importantly the Telengana people before the General Elections.