Dalit Will Be Telangana CM: Mayawati

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati on Saturday stated that her party would extend total support to any Bill on a separate Telangana if the Centre introduces it in Parliament.

Talking to media persons after participating in a meeting of the Bahujan Samaj Party workers at White House Function Hall in L B Nagar in the city, Mayawati stated that the her party was committed to the formation of a Telangana state.

"The BSP is in favour of the formation of smaller states, and will support any Bill on a separate Telangana state any time it is introduced in Parliament," the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said.

She blamed the Centre for the inordinate delay in the introducing the Telangana Bill in Parliament.

Stating that the BSP would be strengthened in the event of the formation of Telangana state, Mayawati expressed the hope that a Dalit would get a chance to occupy the Chief Minister's post in the new state.

Condemning the increase in the prices of petroleum products, Mayawati called upon all parties to stage protests and dharnas across the country till the Centre rolls back the hike.

She said that the fuel price hike would put an additional burden on the common man, who is already burdened with the high prices of essential commodities. (INN)