T'gana: TRS, BJP in war of words

The ruling TRS and BJP in Telangana were engaged in a war of words on Tuesday over the latter's claim that a "golden Telangana" is possible only when it comes to power.

State BJP president K Laxman's comments that a "golden Telangana" was possible only under his party's rule was like the devil quoting the scriptures, TRS MLA Balka Suman said.

Alleging that the BJP-led government at the Centre discriminated against Telangana, he said the Centre did not give any funds to the state though the NITI Aayog recommended Rs 24,000 crore to the state for Mission Kakatiya (revival of water bodies) and Mission Bhagiradha (drinking water supply to all households) schemes.

Has the state leadership of BJP ever asked the Centre about promises made to Telangana in the Andhra Pradesh Re-organisation Act, Suman said in a open letter to BJP.

He alleged that BJP's top leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah spoke negatively about Telangana on different ocasions.

"While not cooperating for state's development, your national president (Amit Shah) is spewing venom on Telangana. He has been lying...," he alleged.

Modi had said during 2014 election campaign after the formation of Telangana that the then UPA regime killed the mother (Andhra Pradesh) while making the baby (Telangana) survive, Suman said.

BJP had never demonstrated a clear and sincere attitude with regard to formation of Telangana, he alleged.

Suman's attack on BJP came following Laxman's comments that a "golden Telangana", a slogan of TRS, is possible only with BJP and his allegation of "corrupt and family rule" of TRS.

Laxman dismissed Chief Minister Chandrasekhar Rao's comments on Monday that he would help in making Rayalaseema region of neighbouring Andhra Pradesh fertile and rich.

"It is funny that KCR who has not given water to Telangana even after spending Rs one lakh crore on Kaleswaram project, says that he would strive for making Rayalaseema fertile and rich," Laxman said in a statement on Tuesday.

He demanded that the TRS government provide relief to farming community which had faced drought-like conditions due to delay in rainfall.

He also demanded a white paper on the expenditure on the construction of irrigation projects.

Meanwhile, BJP in a separate release claimed President Ram Nath Kovind has sought a factual report from the Chief Secretary of Telangana about the alleged suicides of 27 Intermediate students due to goof-up in declaration of results.

Laxman received a communique in this regard from the Centre, it said.

The state BJP chief had earlier submitted a memorandum to the President seeking justice for the families of the 27 students.