Cong, TDP Caused Telangana Issue: YSRCP

Holding the Congress and the TDP responsible for the flaring up of regional passions, the YSR Congress said that leaders of the two parties are now "enacting a new drama of resignations" to "hijack the movement that has erupted due to hurt sentiments of one region of the state".

"We are not against bifurcation, but we are against the way in which the Congress has mishandled the situation. We wrote to the Centre that the issue should be sorted out like a family matter if the division is inevitable, and that it should work out a solution that is agreeable to all concerned. The suggestion was not taken in the right spirit, and the announcement was made unilaterally," party spokesperson Ambati Rambabu told reporters on Friday.

"TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu was in touch with Delhi all through, and after the decision was announced, he comes up with the theory of the new capital and its cost, while enraged TDP leaders of Seemandhra region announce their resignations.

"The same is the case with Seemandhra Congress leaders who suddenly wake up for the cause and put in papers demanding an integrated state. When Digvijay Singh gave away a blunt hint that sweet news would unfold for the people of Telangana, what was the maturity that the leaders of Congress and TDP showed?

"Leaders of both the parties are enacting the resignation drama only to hijack the movement which has erupted from the hearts of the people of Seemandhra. It will be a total sell-out if the people who are leading the movement yield to their theatrics.

"Leaders of these two parties were silent when the process of division was going on, while YSRCP wrote to the Home Minister that the interests of all regions should be taken into consideration before taking any decision on the issue of bifurcation. The Centre paid no heed to our letter.

"Now, Congress and TDP leaders have started their old game of playing to the gallery, by offering resignations.

"Delhi, on the other hand has gone a step forward. State in-charge of the Congress Digvijay Singh has been speaking about the resources of the Seemandhra region, and suggesting places in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema for a suitable capital, bringing the divide-and-rule game into full play.

"The Congress has betrayed the people of Seemandhra, while the TDP has become a spent force. The two parties are directly responsible for the division of the state, without taking proper measures to provide justice to all stakeholders.

"Our party's stand has been the same. Under Article 3, the Centre has full powers to restructure any state or its boundaries. But before taking such a decision, we said, justice should be done to all regions. No part of the state should be put to any disadvantage or turmoil," he said.

"Our party came into existence 2 years back. We were not there when the Sri Krishna Committee toured the state, and were not a party to its report. We only spoke on behalf of the people of the state. We are of the opinion that if a split cannot be avoided, there should be a general agreement among the parties concerned, and that they should part like brothers.

"Instead, the Congress has treated the issue in a very unilateral and dictatorial manner, sparking protests from the people of one region. Both Congress and TDP should take responsibility for the consequences, as they are responsible for the unrest that erupted following the division," he said. (INN)