The imposition of President's rule in Andhra Pradesh is a sad commentary on the functioning of Congress, senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu alleged here today.
"It is a sad commentary on the functioning of the Congress party. That's why I called it 'Tughlak (Mohammad Bin) rule'. They have majority in both states (Telangana and Seemandhra), but they could not form government here," Naidu told reporters here.
"They were in power for the last nine-and-half years.
They could not hold municipal elections in due time. That's why you have a peculiar situation, where you have three elections (Lok Sabha, Legislative Assembly and municipal bodies)," he said.
Replying to a query, he alleged that Congress bungled up in Andhra Pradesh leading to imposition of President's rule due to a Constitutional break-down.
"A people's government is always better. Otherwise, one can only go for President's rule. If it becomes inevitable as per the Constitutional breakdown, there is a Constitutional breakdown. They used Article 356. Otherwise, how can they impose President's rule?" he asked.
"Who is responsible for this? Not opposition parties.
It is the Congress party's internal squabble, problems, dissidence that has led to this situation. They will pay for it," he said.
Referring to the comments of Congress leaders like Jairam Ramesh that the package announced for Seemandhra (in division of AP) were Congress' proposals, Naidu wondered why they were not brought in Lok Sabha and why Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister were not present in Parliament when Telangana Bill was passed.
BJP made efforts towards getting the special status, Naidu said.
"BJP was not talking about it publicly, as there will be a plethora of demands, which were seen the next day (the day the Telangana bill was passed)," he said.
Asked if the BJP would approach the TRS which ruled out merger with Congress and is open to alliances, the BJP leader said his party has not approached anybody. He referred to reports that MIM and CPI could be allies for TRS.
Replying to a query about BJP's possible alliance with TDP, he said, "When a final decision is taken about alliances, it will be known to you."
He said Telangana and Seemandhra are practically two states now and the party's both units would sit separately to take a final view.
Asked about former BJP president Nitin Gadkari's meeting with MNS chief Raj Thackeray, he said it was a "chance meeting" and the BJP parliamentary board's decision is to have an understanding with Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena.
"If any one is to be admitted, it will be discussed and decided," he said.
On the alleged defence scam, Naidu said the government is "defenceless" now.
"Corruption is violent and PM, party president are silent," he added.
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