Telangana: BJP acting double-faced on the issue, alleges Congress

Advani was against formation of Telangana, says Congress MP

Accusing BJP of instigating people on separate statehood issue, Congress MP L Rajagopal Wednesday said former Union Home Minister Lal Krishna Advani had opposed formation of Telangana.

Advani had written a letter to Congress opposing formation of separate state for 'Telugu people' for lack of consensus over separate statehood at the time of carving out three states during the NDA regime, Rajagopal said.

Accusing the saffron party of double-speak on the raging issue, the MP said the BJP leaders, along with other political parties, are instigating people to fight for Telangana.

How could BJP which secured only 1.75% votes in Andhra Pradesh polls demand formation of a new state, the Vijaywada MP asked.

Asserting that UPA's stand is 'very clear' on the statehood issue, Rajagopal said the political parties in the region should first reach a consensus on bifurcation of the state.

The TDP, led by Chandrababu Naidu and YSR Congress, headed by Kadapa MP Jaganmohan Reddy, neither have consensus nor clarity on Telengana, he said, adding majority of people in Andhra Pradesh are in favour of unified state.