By IANS,
New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tuesday accused the government of “playing with the sensitivities of people” on the Telangana issue and reiterated its demand for a roadmap on the creation of the separate state.
“What is happening in Andhra Pradesh is a matter of anguish. The government of India has complicated the issue. The state is in turmoil, students are on strike. More than 130 MLAs seem to have resigned. The assembly was not able to function and was adjourned sine die,” BJP MP M. Venkaiah Naidu said while raising the issue during zero hour in the Rajya Sabha.
“The government is playing with the sensitivities of the people. The government of India has behaved in a most irresponsible and immature manner. This is not the way to deal with the situation. I want the government to come out with a roadmap (on the Telangana issue),” he added.
Naidu, who belongs to Andhra Pradesh but represents Karnataka in the Rajya Sabha, had made a similar demand last week.
The BJP leader was highly critical of the government for not discussing the Telangana issue with MPs and legislators of Andhra Pradesh before giving its tentative nod for creation of a separate state.
“The (Congress) leaders of the ruling party (in Andhra Pradesh) are making provocative statements and are on fast. The ruling party (in the state) is divided. The chief minister has said he was not taken into consideration,” Naidu contended.
His statement triggered angry protests from the treasury benches, but Naidu stood his ground.
“The BJP is committed to a separate (Telangana) state. There is no question of going back on this,” he maintained.
At this stage, Deputy Chairman K. Rahman Khan called the next speaker as there is a three minute limit for MPs during zero hour, but Naidu objected.
“The state is on the boil and I can’t speak because you are citing rules. The minister (Home Minister P. Chidambaram) made a statement outside the house (saying yes to Telangana Wednesday night). Was that not against the rules,” he asked.
Naidu asked Khan to “advise” the government to make a statement on the issue but he declined.
“I can’t do that,” Khan maintained, adding: “Whatever you are saying, the government is listening.”