BJP blames Congress for messing up Telangana issue

The BJP Friday hit out at the Congress for "messing up" the issue of Telangana, saying that the government wasted nine years and only worsened the situation.

"The Congress party and the central government have messed up the issue of division of Andhra Pradesh and are still doing so," Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh said in a statement here.

He charged the government with having a "short-sighted political approach towards this emotive, sensitive and serious issue".

"The Congress is responsible for the present chaos in the state. There is neither clarity nor unity in the Congress party on the issue of Telangana," he alleged.

He said while the union cabinet cleared the Telangana bill, Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy and union ministers from Seemandhra region were opposing and "instigating the people" against Telangana.

"Being the ruling party, it is highly irresponsible on the part of the Congress as it is indulging in double speak. It seems that the Congress led governments are more concerned and motivated by their electoral considerations and lacking the conviction needed to create a new state," alleged the BJP chief.

Rajnath Singh stressed that the BJP is "firmly committed" for the creation of Telangana, and "equally committed to safeguard the concerns and problems of Seemandhra region".

"The BJP will highlight all the important issues pertaining to the genuine concerns and demands of the Seemandhra people and build pressure on the government while actively working towards realising the dream of a separate Telangana state," he added.

While the central government has approved formation of Telangana, Congress MPs from Seemandhra region have been protesting the move.

A no-confidence motion has been admitted in Lok Sabha sponsored by MPs from Seemandhra region, including some MPs from Congress.