The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : BJP move kicks off a new row

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

BJP move kicks off a new row

Special Correspondent

Congress, BJP differ on letter being sent to UPA Sub-Committee

HYDERABAD : With the BJP national executive adopting political resolution extending support to separate Telangana in New Delhi on Tuesday ending speculation over the issue, a new controversy has cropped up on whether the party should submit a letter to the UPA Sub-Committee headed by Pranab Mukherjee.

While the Congress insists that the BJP should submit a letter to the sub-committee, the BJP and the TRS felt otherwise.

Ridiculing the resolution, APCC president K. Keshava Rao said the BJP was deliberately avoiding sending its written commitment to the sub-committee. "BJP has shifted its stand 17 times in the last 17 months on the issue. It had gone back on the resolution supporting Telangana adopted at Kakinada meet," he said.

Assembly resolution

He recalled that BJP leader L.K. Advani had opposed both separate Telangana as well as second States Reorganisation Commission (SRC). "They talked about an Assembly resolution and then about consensus. Now, the party does not want to give any written commitment. How do I understand what they want?"

On the other hand, BJP national secretary B. Dattatreya hailed the resolution and said the "ball is now in the court of Congress". He said the resolution was a clear signal to the sub-committee, not to come out with excuses. "Now it depends on the political will of Congress. They can introduce a bill in Parliament if they are sincere."

Regarding the insistence by Dr. Keshav Rao that BJP should furnish its views to the sub-committee, he said the party in the first place did not recognise it. Besides, without stating its own stand, Congress had no "moral right" to seek a letter from BJP. He advised Dr. Rao to bring pressure on AICC president Sonia Gandhi for creation of Telangana.

Two third support

Union Minister of State and senior TRS leader A. Narendra hailed BJP's support to separate Telangana terming it as a step closer to formation. "With BJP's support, we have two third support in Parliament and the Bill on Telangana will be passed. It is a matter of time". Profusely thanking the party, he asserted that there was no need for a letter to the sub-committee. "Till now Mr. Mukherjee has been blaming the BJP. There is no room for excuse and suspicion now".

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail