The Congress took the plunge on Tuesday after nearly four years of extensive consultations. Telangana is to become the 29th state of the Indian Union.
The UPA parties have unanimously endorsed this decision. This will be some relief to the Congress, although the party itself may see considerable confusion in its rank and file in the coastal and Rayalseema regions. It is not clear if MLAs, MPs and ministers will quit. The decision has gone down badly outside the Telangana area.
Looking at history, is the decision to separate Telangana and make it a state a case of de-merger? Or is it the creation of a new state? Constitutional pundits and the government will pronounce on the issue, and that may guide some of the administrative decisions to make the two parts of the existing Andhra Pradesh viable and feasible in all respects. In this respect, the Seema Andhra-Telenagana issue appears unique.
The new state will be notified after the constitutional processes to give effect to it are complete, and that may take four to five months, according to Congress leader Digvijay Singh who answered media questions after the Telangana announcement. But there are some sticky aspects. Hyderabad is to be the joint capital for 10 years by when Seema Andhra is to build its own headquarters. The Telangana Rashtra Samithi is opposed to this. It is clear, however, that the Congress has decided to see the decision through. Replying to a question, Mr Singh left open the possibility of Kurnool and Anantpur districts being able to join Telangana if they were so inclined. The TRS is likely to oppose this as well. Mr Singh indicated that the Andhra Assembly will be required to pass a resolution on Telangana, that will not be binding on Parliament or the Centre. This can set off tremors. Clearly, for the Congress, much political work lies ahead.
Many — in the ruling party and outside — seem persuaded that the Telangana decision will hurt the Congress badly in the next Lok Sabha election. That itself suggests that the declaration is not the result of political expediency, as some have sought to suggest. However, the Congress has made it clear that the view taken on Telangana will not apply to areas like Gorkhaland, Bodoland or Vidarbha, (even if strident protests may start). The party sees Telangana as a case apart on account of the long history of the demand, although both sides of the divide speak the same language, Telugu. It is evident, however, that the Congress has not arrived at a long-term new formula for states reorganisation, replacing the linguistic principle. Nor is it likely that a second states reorganisation commission will be set up now.