Bardhan says CPI to support Telangana Statehood

Hyderabad, Mar 26 (UNI) The Communist Party of India (CPI) General Secretary A B Bardhan today said the Left party would support the formation of a separate Telangana.

According to sources, while addressing the Party's 20th National Eecutive, Mr Bardhan said ''the CPI is supporting the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh respecting the sentiments of Telangana people.

''The party will not oppose the Bill for Telangana if the UPA introduced it in Parliament.'' The Left leader said the Telangana issue would not be resolved till a consensus was evolved among all political parties, including the Congress.

Stating ''the CPI will not take initiative for Telangana statehood, Mr Bardhan added ''it will support separate Telangana.

At the same time, the governments should allocate more funds for the development of the backward region.'' Meanwhile, some CPI leaders of Andhra Pradesh, who were committed for united Andhra Pradesh, opposed Mr Bardhan's announcement saying forming Telangana was not an easy task as most of the parties -- both national and regional -- in the State were opposing bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

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