No immediate consideration of statehood demands: Shinde

The demands for statehood from groups in Assam and some other parts of the country cannot be considered immediately, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said Saturday.

Replying to queries from media persons at his monthly press conference, Shinde said that there were several requests for creation of separate states inlcuding Gorkhaland and Vidarbha.

"Demands are there, can't be considered immediately. When needed, we will consider," he said.

The demands for statehood have gained impetus after the ruling United Progressive Alliance's decision to form Telangana by bifurcating Andhra Pradesh.

Organisations of the Bodos, the Koch-Rajbangshis, Karbis and Dimasas have been raising statehood demands in Assam.

Shinde said that a delegation of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leaders had met him recently and he had sought to contact West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee before the meeting but could not talk to her.

The minister said he had told GJM leaders that they should withdraw their agitation before any tripartite talks.