The Demand for New States in Indian Federalism - A Case Study of Telangana State

This paper tries to argue that the demand for the new and smaller states in India at present is mostly influenced by the economic consideration and that it can be accounted within the larger context of the Indian states policies, programs and the power of cultural pluralism and political centralism during the past two decades. It also tries to examine various debates on how the demand for new and smaller states affects the federal institutions and their governance in the country. In particular, the recent change from a one-party dominated political system to another coalition politics has created an environment that is more likely to influence the result of these movements. It covers the significance of coalition politics and impact of the recent establishment of three states Uttaranchal, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh in 2000, on the other demands of different kind of movements, claiming for separate statehood. It also provides an overview and public opinion over the demand for smaller in India through field work study of Telangana state demand.