YSR Congress chief Jaganmohan Reddy’s efforts to garner the BJP’s support for a united Andhra Pradesh didn’t bear fruit.
The BJP seemed to have cold-shouldered Reddy, who met its president Rajnath Singh on Friday seeking the main Opposition party’s support against the Centre’s move to form Telangana.
Reddy’s meeting with the BJP chief lasted for around half an hour, but the latter remained non- committal.
The BJP has openly advocated the formation of Telangana as the party has always favoured creation of smaller states.
After the meeting, Reddy said he hoped Opposition parties would not back the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.
“We had a very detailed discussion on the topic. He assured us that he would discuss the matter with his party colleagues and a decision would be taken very soon. I am hopeful that wisdom would dawn upon all Opposition parties and all of them would stand up against this injustice,” he said.
A close aide of Rajnath Singh told Mail Today: “I am surprised how Reddy can make claims of support … the party ( BJP) stand is clear on Telangana Bill. We are committed to the passage of the Bill, but are also worried if the concerns of Seemandhara region will be addressed. There won’t be any compromise on that issue.”
The YSR Congress chief, who has threatened to move court against the UPA government on the issue, is also learnt to have met West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee to seek her support against the bifurcation.
Possible ally
Reddy is widely seen as a possible strong ally of the BJP, which is slowly surging ahead in the pre-poll surveys. However, the saffron party doesn’t have considerable presence in Andhra Pradesh, and will be banking on regional parties such as the YSR Congress and the Telugu Desam Party to form the next government at the Centre.
With Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK supremo J. Jayalalithaa nursing prime ministerial ambitions, Andhra parties are crucial for the BJP in south India.
Meanwhile, facing flak over his pepper spray attack in the Lok Sabha during the introduction of the Telangana Bill, Congress MP from Seemandhra L. Rajagopal on Friday regretted his act, but maintained that he had done it in self defence.
“I’m not saying what happened in Parliament on Thursday was the right thing... Definitely, all of us regret, all of us feel ashamed for what happened,” he said.
Rajagopal was widely condemned for the incident, which saw him being suspended from the Lok Sabha by Speaker Meira Kumar.
Source: Mail Today
