BJP asks govt to bring bill on Telangana in this session

Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj says the party will support it

In a bid to capitalise on the divisions within the Congress MPs from Andhra Pradesh on Telangana, BJP today said since the government intends to extend the Parliament session it should immediately bring a Bill on carving out the new state and ensure its passage without further delay.

Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj today told reporters here that the government has created a "state of limbo" on the Telangana issue as it is not serious about creating the new state.

"Congress and the government are playing a game here. Congress thought that by announcing formation of Telangana it will placate the pro-Telangana leaders while the government through its inaction on the issue will placate those standing for a united Andhra Pradesh," Swaraj said.

She maintained that this has created uncertainty about Andhra Pradesh and suspicion in the minds of those supporting Telangana.

Insisting that BJP has always supported Telangana and will support any Bill moved in Parliament for its creation, Swaraj said, "Government wants to extend the monsoon session upto September 5 and is also bringing new Bills which were not listed before. I demand that the government bring the Bill on Telangana and we will support it."

Swaraj said since the Bill on Telangana will be a constitutional amendment bill, Opposition's support would be required for its passage.

"Once Telangana becomes a reality, Andhra Pradesh will gradually return to a peaceful state," she said.

Alleging that Congress had dilly dallied for four years after announcing that the process for forming Telangana is on, the BJP leader said her party had always maintained clarity on the issue.

"I strongly demand that government bring the Telangana Bill and we will pass it in this session," she said.