Andhra situation because of Cong mishandling: BJP

BJP today accused Congress of "mishandling" the Telangana issue for votebank politics and held it responsible for the critical situation in Andhra Pradesh which is witnessing protests and violence.
"Congress is doing politics over formation of Telangana. It is still not serious about the issue and wants to make political capital out of the situation prevailing in Andhra Pradesh today. This atmosphere has arisen in the state due to mishandling of the whole issue by the Congress," BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain told reporters.
Charging the Congress with playing politics of power and votebank, the main Opposition said the erstwhile NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee had created three states- Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh- peacefully.

"It is not that there was no opposition to the creation of these states. Yet not even a stone was thrown. Government managed everything deftly. But today Congress leaders believe that the more trouble there is the more votes it will get in Andhra Pradesh," Hussain said.
BJP alleged that Congress is not concerned about national interest and is ready to sacrifice it for political gains. "The situation has gone out of control in Andhra Pradesh due to the Congress. It should learn from the NDA rule and handle the issue with care," he suggested.
He reiterated that BJP has always supported the cause of Telangana but wants that the state should be carved out of Andhra Pradesh in a peaceful manner.

Meanwhile, BJP sources said the party is likely to press for getting the Seemandhra region its due when Telangana is created. The Rayalseema and coastal regions of Seemandhra should get their fair share of water, power and investments, party leaders said.