KARIMNAGAR: BJP senior leader Ch Vidyasagar Rao has alleged that a "powerful lobby'' is actively working behind the alleged passport racket to suppress the Telangana statehood movement.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, he said, "The Telangana statehood movement should not be foiled for some individuals' alleged involvement in the passport racket." He called upon the Telangana leaders, intellectuals, writers, artistes and others to be wary of the "lobby" and intensify the movement for the formation of Telangana state before 2009 elections.

"If we cannot get the Telangana state before 2009 elections, the existing movement for statehood would be of no use and in turn it would be diluted as it was in 1971,'' he said. Stressing the need to pressurise the Centre for the formation of Telangana state, he called upon the parties to unite for the cause of Telangana state before 2009.

`Chalo Delhi'

He also said that the BJP would be in the forefront demanding the Union Government for the formation of Telangana state. He also said that they would organise a `chalo Delhi' programme in May to urge President Abdul Kalam for the formation of Telangana.

On the Babli project, he appealed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi to resolve the issue amicably by convening a meeting with Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra Chief Ministers. He said that the State Government failed to present its argument properly on the illegal Babli project to protect the interests of Telangana region. He said that the Supreme Court verdict on Babli was against the interests of the State.

He said that Telangana would be transformed into a desert due to illegal siphoning of Godavari waters by the Maharashtra Government through Babli and other projects. He alleged that the Congress would be held responsible for the denial of legitimate rights of Godavari waters to Telangana region. BJP kisan morcha district president B. Jaganmohan Rao, BJP town president D Sridhar were also present.

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