Coimbatore: Sticking to his demand for bifurcation of Tamil Nadu, Pattali Makkal Katchhi (PMK) leader Dr S Ramadoss on July 24 said smaller states were the only answer to the aspirations of the people and level the regional imbalances.

Demanding a smaller state will not amount to "anti-national activity", Ramadoss told reporters here adding political parties and leaders opposing 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, Telengana from Andhra Pradesh and Harit Pradesh from Uttar Pradesh and Gorkha land and Bodo lands.

“Anti-nationals did not make these demands," but by people who wanted to rectify the regional imbalances and for better development, the PMK leader clarified.

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.

PTI