BJP supports demand for separate Telengana state: Gadkari

LONDON: The BJP supports the demand for the formation of a separate Telengana state, party president Nitin Gadkari has said, citing its policy of favouring the creation of smaller states.

"Our party is in full support of the demand for the creation of Telengana state and we are also actively supporting the agitation in Telengana," Gadkari said while addressing a gathering of the Telengana Development forum, UK, here yesterday.

He said that the BJP has always been in favour of smaller states.

Gadkari said "whenever there will be any resolution on the formation of Telengana (in Lok Sabha) our party will support the formation of Telangana."

"We will definitely fulfil your demand and help formation of Telengana. I assure you, in all your agitations, you are not alone. Our 165 MPs will stand with you, support you and solve this problem."

He said Congress Party had supported the formation of Telengana in 2004 and 2007.

"It promised the people of Telengana many things. Whenever Congress Party promises, it never fulfils."

Gadkari said as many as 143 MLAs and MLCs have already resigned from their posts but the "way Congress party is handling the issue is very unfortunate. It is an indication of political immaturity of the Congress party."

Gadkari alleged that the ruling party at the centre was continuing with its delaying tactics by sitting over the recommendations of the Justice Srikrishna Commission which was asked to look into the issue.

He assured the pro-Telengana activists that the BJP, if elected to power at the centre, will complete the proposed irrigation projects and undertake river connectivity programme for better water management of the Krishna and Godavari rivers.

"We will ensure proportionate water for Telengana and make it prosperous and economically viable state with improved agriculture and irrigation," the BJP president said.

Smriti Irani, MP and President of the BJP Mahila Morcha, and Convenor of the Overseas Friends of BJP Vijay Jolly also spoke on the occasion.