No need of agitation for Telangana: Dattatreya

By Our Special Correspondent

VISAKHAPATNAM, MAY 14. The current situation does not warrant an agitational programme for achieving a separate Telangana, according to Mr. Bandaru Dattatreya, Union Minister of State for Urban Development.

Talking to reporters here on Monday, he said that Telangana could be achieved easily by passing a resolution in both the AP Assembly and Parliament. "You cannot decide it on the roads," he remarked.

On the stand of the Bharatiya Janata Party, he said that it was in favour smaller States for administrative convenience. There were only three States on the NDA agenda and they were formed. The State BJP also supported a separate Telangana and passed a resolution to this effect but it was for the party's central leadership to decide, he said.

Mr. Dattatreya felt that regional imbalances could be resolved without forming separate States. He admitted that some workers and leaders still wanted a separate Telangana State. However, there was no need for launching an agitation. "If others go on an agitation, the BJP would not have anything to do with it," he said.

It was in this context that he had a led a delegation to Mr.N. Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister, and sought immediate measures to utilise the Godavari waters which had the potential to transform the State into a prosperous one. The backward areas of Telangana, Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra would benefit by the optimum utilisation of the Godavari waters. The BJP, on its part, would get the environmental clearance and Central Water Commission's approval, he stated.

He disclosed that the Chief Minister had responded positively and assured the delegation that the first phase of the Inchampalli project on the Godavari would be ready in a couple of months.

The Minister also said that the delegation had sought protection to BJP leaders and workers in naxalite-affected areas in Telangana in the wake of the brutal killing of the Nizamabad district BJP president a couple of days ago. The Chief Minister had assured him that all the necessary steps would be taken to provide security, Mr. Dattatreya revealed.

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Section  : Southern States
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