BJP is against move to create Rayala-Telangana: Reddy

BJP Andhra Pradesh general secretary Suresh Reddy today said that his party would oppose the proposal mooted by a section of Congress leaders and Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) to divide Rayalaseema for creating Rayala-Telangana.

"A section of Congress leaders and MIM party leaders are playing politics a by mooting the proposal to divide the Rayalaseema region, which will make the region more vulnerable and create all sorts of problems there," Reddy told reporters after the meeting of party workers in Kadapa today.

"BJP is committed for the formation of Telangana, but is not in favour of Rayala-Telangana. The party will oppose the state bifurcation bill, if it comes with such a proposal," he said.

Reddy said the BJP would strive hard for the formation of Telangana and also to protect the interests of Rayalaseema and Andhra regions.

"Congress is playing politics over the state division issue with its leaders coming out with four different proposals like Telangana formation, creation of Rayala- Telangana, demanding a unified state and protection of Seemandhra region. Thus it is cheating the people of all regions with their confusing strategies," Reddy added.

He demanded that the Congress party should come out with a clear proposal in regard to the state's bifurcation.

Criticising Prime minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi over the bifurcation issue, he said, "They never bothered to think about the farmers, who suffered heavy loss due to cyclone 'Phailin'. They have not even paid a visit to the cyclone affected people."

He lashed out at TRS leaders for making "irresponsible" statements about water allocation to Rayalaseema and demanded that the Centre should allocate 200 TMC of assured water to the region for agriculture purposes and for its drinking water needs.