TDP to oppose move for separate states, support Insurance Bill

NEW DELHI, DEC 1: Aware that any move to create smaller states would give a fillip to demands for bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, the Telu...

NEW DELHI, DEC 1: Aware that any move to create smaller states would give a fillip to demands for bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, the Telugu Desam Party today said that it would oppose Bills for the proposed formation of three new States, Vananchal, Uttarakhand and Chattisgarh.

The TDP spokesman, C Ramachandraiah, told reporters here that while his party had promised unconditional support to the Vajpayee Government, it did not mean that it should agree with it on every issue. "We are no doubt a reliable partner, but we have the prerogative to differ with the Government on certain issues," he said.

The TDP has obviously adopted this posture in the background of a strong movement within Andhra Pradesh for the creation of a separate Telangana state. This is the first time that the party has expressed major reservations with the Government on a policy matter.

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However, the party said that it would back the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Bill to be voted upon in the Lok Sabha tomorrow. It would, however, decide tomorrow if it should move an amendment for ensuring that foreign investors in the Insurance Sector do not back out after a certain period of time.

Ramachandraiah said that the IRA Bill was in tune with the policy of liberalisation and globalisation which Andhra Pradesh was vigorously pursuing.

On the Bill for reservation of women in State Assemblies and the Lok Sabha, he said that the TDP was in agreement with the concept. But on the question of a quota for backward classes within the quota for women, the party would formulate its stand at its politburo meeting to be convened shortly.

The TDP spokesman also wanted the Government to declare all cyclones as a national calamity and if necessary, a resolution should be adopted by Parliament for the purpose.