Ramdev slams Congress for "match-fixing" on Telangana decision

NEW DELHI: Yoga guru Ramdev today accused Congress of having done "match-fixing" in going ahead with the creation of a separate Telangana state during a visit to meet TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu, who is on an indefinite hunger in protest against the proposed bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

"Congress has indulged in match-fixing (over the separate Telangana proposal)," Ramdev told reporters here at Andhra Bhavan here, where Naidu is holding his stir.

"I am not against United Andhra Pradesh or a separate Telangana. But I am of the view that several issues, including that concerning the state capital and sharing of water and natural resources, should have been resolved before the bifurcation decision," he said.

Ramdev, however, did not mention whether it was with YSR Congress or Telangana Rashtra Samiti -- the two key players in Telugu politics -- with whom the ruling party is said to be trying for tie-ups before or after the Lok Sabha polls.

Slamming what he said was the Centre's hasty move in the matter, Ramdev said, "Congress has gone ahead with the decision for their political gains... It is not justifiable."

Ramdev, who spent 30 minutes at the fast venue, held conversations with Naidu and the TDP's leader in the Lok Sabha, Nama Nageshwar Rao.