Strongly supporting the creation of a Telangana state, senior BJP leader Prakash Javadekar on Friday took on the Congress for “betraying” the people of the region by going back on its promise.
Moving a private member’s resolution for creation of a separate Telangana state, Mr Javadekar stated that both Telangana and Seemand-hra regions could co-exist peacefully and prosper.
“We are providing a blank cheque. Let the government bring the resolution, we will pass it,” Mr Javadekar said while speaking on his resolution.
Mr Javadekar said even home minister P. Chidambaram, in December 2009, had said the process of formation of the state “has begun” but two-and-a- half-years had passed since then.
“Till now the Congress has not been able to make its stand clear,” he said.
He criticised the party for seeking the views of other political parties when they themselves remained silent on the issue.
The BJP leader also ridiculed moves to set up one committee after another when the UPA's intention on the issue remained unclear.
Mr Javadekar pointed out that over 700 students had committed suicide in the region and there had been a 42-day strike in the region.
“But even then the UPA has failed to take a stand,” he said.
On the need for a Telangana state, he said nine out of ten districts in the region are recognised by the government of India as backward, despite availability of many natural resources, the benefits have failed to reach its people.
"The experience of creation of smaller states has been good as it makes administration smoother and efficient coupled with higher development of the areas," the BJP leader added.
He said there is merit in the demand for a separate state of Telangana as it serves the cause of geographical continuity, economic viability as well as administrative convenience.