Formation of smaller states will hamper development: Cong

Hyderabad, May 18 (UNI) Opposing the concept of smaller states, All India Mahila Congress Committee President Prabha Thakur, MP, today opined that development would be hampered with the formation of smaller states.

Addressing a press conference at the party's headquarters 'Gandhi Bhavan' here, she said the ruling Congress government, led by Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, had been taking up all developmental programmes in an equal manner in Andhra, Rayalaseema and Telangana regions.

Unfortunately, some regional parties were creating regionalism for their self-interests, she alleged.

She also claimed that welfare schemes, including 'Rs 2 kg rice scheme, construction of houses, irrigation projects, distribution of pensions and loans at lowest interest rates, launched by the state government benefitted all the three regions.

The schemes were not confined to any one region of the state, she added.

Alleging that the present by-elections in the state were the creation of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) for its self-interest, she said the people would teach them a lesson in the coming elections.

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