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Sticking to his demand for bifurcation of Tamil Nadu, Pattali Makkal Katchi chief Dr S Ramadoss on Wednesday said smaller states were the only answer to the aspirations of the people and level the regional imbalances.
"Demanding a smaller state does not amount to anti-national activity," Ramadoss told reporters in Chennai, adding political parties and leaders opposed to his demand had not studied it in depth.
Justifying his demand, he said almost all states, including major political parties, had demanded that separate states be carved out, be it Kodagu from Karnataka, Vidarbha from Maharashtra, Telangana from Andhra Pradesh, Harit Pradesh from Uttar Pradesh or Gorkhaland and Bodoland in eastern India.
These demands were not made by 'anti-nationals', but by people who wanted to rectify the regional imbalances and for better development, the PMK leader clarified.
"Not in the near future," was his reply when asked whether he would bring the issue before the Union Cabinet.
On remarks reportedly made by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa that he should not be called a leader, Ramadoss said there was no need to reply to the comments, which were 'indirectly made to incite violence'.
Making it clear that he had not demanded a separate state for Vanniyar community, the PMK chief said he was ready to clarify the issue on a public platform, if necessary.
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