BJP refuses to back no-trust motion against UPA government on Telangana issue

NEW DELHI: BJP today refused to back the no-confidence motion, a notice for which is pending with the Lok Sabha Speaker, contending it has been moved by MPs opposed to formation of Telangana while the party stands firmly in support of creating the new state.

"We do not have confidence in the government but we are pro-Telangana. Any party, which supports Telangana, cannot support a no-confidence motion moved by those who are against formation of the state," Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley told reporters.

His Lok Sabha counterpart Sushma Swaraj said BJP wants Telangana to become a reality. The party has already emphasised that it is firmly committed to the carving out of the new state from Andhra Pradesh. It has demanded that the government should bring a Bill for forming the new state and it will support it.

Three notices for moving a no-confidence motion against the government are pending with Speaker Meira Kumar. Six Congress MPs have given the notice along with TDP and YSR Congress members.

The Speaker tried to take up the notice on three consecutive days but failed due to continuing disruptions.

BJP leaders said though the no-confidence motion does not mention Telangana, since it has been moved by those who want to express their protest against the government for not bringing the Bill on creating the new state, the party cannot support it.

However, BJP insisted though it will not support the no-confidence motion, it alleged the UPA government has already lost its credibility and the right to rule.

"Congress has lost elections in four states, most of them big states, and hence has lost its legitimacy to rule," Swaraj said.

"It is unprecedented that MPs of the ruling party are moving a no-confidence motion against the government," she added.