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PCC chief opposes creation of Koshal state

Orissa Pradesh Congress Committte chief Hemanand Biswal today opposed the demand for a separate Koshal state for western Orissa, describing it as ''unjustified'' and against the interests of the state.

Biswal, also a prominent tribal leader from western Orissa, told newspersons in Bhubaneswar that the people of western Orissa had been demanding all-round development of their area, and the Congress government was committed to the establishment of the Western Orissa Development Council to solve their problems.

The PCC chief's reaction came when reporters asked him about independent MLA, Balgopal Mishra's allegation at a news conference in the state capital yesterday that politicians had failed to see the writing on the wall about the Koshal state.

Biswal said the WODC bill, which had been referred to a select committee, would soon be passed in the assembly once the committee gave its approval.

He said the formation of the WODC was on the election manifesto of the Congress, and the party would see that the bill be passed as early as possible.

Mishra, representing Loisingha constituency in western Orissa, had alleged that many politicians, for the purpose of deflecting public opinion and sowing seeds of confusion, had been arguing that the WODC would be formed and such a council would do away with regional imbalances and put the western region of the state on the road to development and prosperity. ''Such tall claims about the autonomous council was nothing but humbug,'' he said, adding that the proposed council for the western Orissa was a ''hoax''.

The MLA said the opposition being orchestrated by a certain section of politicians to Koshal state was understandable as these politicians were uncertain and unsure of their political future once the state became a reality.

Mishra had claimed that a separate Koshal state was dear to the hearts of the downtrodden and poor people of western Orissa, and nothing could deter these people from becoming the masters of their own destiny.

UNI

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