Telangana row: BJP leader Bandaru Dattatreya writes to PM

HYDERABAD: Amid ongoing political turmoil in Andhra Pradesh over Telangana issue, former Union minister and BJP leader Bandaru Dattatreya today urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to immediately move a bill in Parliament for formation of separate state.

In a letter addressed to Singh, Dattatreya said "Sakala Janula Samme (general strike) in support of Telangana state has entered the 34th day which was supported by all sections of the people including state government employees and political parties in the region".

Condemning arrest of leaders of different political parties on the first day of three-day 'rail roko' protests, which began yesterday, the BJP leader said, "instead of understanding the seriousness of the situation and taking an early decision on the issue, the government has been provoking people in the direction of violence through inaction, provocation and partisan actions".

"It was time for the separation of the state to take place and revive the peace and harmony in the region," Dattatreya said in his letter.