Cong fast tracks T, BJP skeptical
NEW DELHI: In the backdrop of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inviting top BJP leaders for dinner to seek support on the Telangana bill, Congress today said the process for formation of the separate state is on and the legislation will be brought before Parliament soon.
BJP, however, attacked Congress, saying it "does not seem sincere" and its motives are "suspect" on Telangana formation as it was not taking action at the party level against its Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy and MPs opposing it.
Congress Spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi merely said, "The process for Telangana formation is on as the Cabinet has passed the bill and now it is to be brought to Parliament.'
A section of the Congress feels that it has only three options on the ticklish Telangana bill in view of the evolving situation. The first being to bring the bill in Rajya Sabha and introduce it and then leave it there and the second to use marshals for ensuring order in the House for smooth passage of the bill. The third option is to let go the issue altogether.
BJP Spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said, "As far as Telangana is concerned, the Congress party doesn't seem sincere." He said had Congress been serious it would have expelled their Chief Minister who is sitting on a dharna and has rebelled and the MPs who are disrupting the House proceedings as well as those members who are moving no-confidence motion against their own government.
"It is a unique situation and Congress is taking no action at party level," he said. Javadekar said Congress leaders like Digvijay Singh today asked Telangana ministers in the state, who are boycotting the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet, to cooperate with Kiran Kumar Reddy.
"Instead of taking action, they are supporting him. Congress' motives are suspect," the BJP leader said. Asked about BJP's stand on the Telangana bill, he said, "Our party's stand is unequivocal and clear from day one" and made a comparison with a married couple, saying, "They don't declare their loyalty everyday.'
Singhvi said it "not a question of Congress versus other party MPs. Some issues are not Congress vs BJP issues. Passions are divided not along political lines but on regional lines - Seemandhra and Telangana."
News Posted: 10 February, 2014
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