Telangana: BJP’s Prasad in tow,Rao attacks PC

While Prasad accused the UPA of “manipulating” democratic institutions including the Lok Sabha Speaker’s office to delay the formation of Telangana,Rao targeted Chidambaram for his comments in Parliament that the Congress had not yet taken a stand on the issue.

“If the Congress did not want to give Telangana then why did Mr Chidambaram announce on December 9,2009 that the steps for formation of Telangana would be initiated? The words of the Home Minister should carry some weight,” he said.

Concurring with Prasad,Rao accused Chidambaram of not getting his facts right on Congress’s stand.

“Let me correct him. I hold a bigger position than the Home Minister in the party. The Congress Working Committee way back in 2001 passed a resolution stating that there are valid reasons for formation of separate Telangana,” he said at a meeting here on Telangana statehood issue.

Calling the pro-Telangana protests as one of the “most peaceful movements” in the country,Prasad said the BJP stood fully in support of the people of Telangana.

“Let your party bring the Bill relating to Telangana in Parliament. We will fully support it without any compromise. We have committed for a Telangana state. BJP always stands by its commitment. If at all we come to power we will deliver on Telangana,” Prasad told Rao.

The BJP leader also strongly criticised Justice Srikrishna,a former Supreme Court judge who headed a committee on the statehood issue,for writing a chapter in his report that advocates use of “rubber bullets” to quell protests.

“I respect Mr Srikrishna. He is one of the outstanding judges in the country. I have the highest regards for him. What have you written Mr Srikrishna? Is it desirable,appropriate or warranted? Why a very distinguished judge should be used for political purposes and partisan purposes?,” he asked.

Agreeing with Prasad,Rao said the committee had suggested use of rubber bullets to rein in protesters and that the report had been accepted by the government.

“The people who oppose the state should be placated. This request for a separate state has been in consideration for a long time. We have sacrificed too much. There is a limit even to patience,” he said.