BJP for Telangana, Vidarbha states

Raipur, Sep 2 (UNI) Senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu today said his party was in favour of creation of new states of Telangana and Vidarbha.

''BJP had favoured carving out these states from Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra respectively while it was in power at the centre.

However, it did not materialise as NDA partners Telugu Desam Party and Shiv Sena did not favour it'', he told reporters here.

Mr Naidu disagreed with the perception that the NDA would be weakened with parties like Trinamool Congress and National Conference coming more closer to the Congress in their respective states. ''NDA is for the centre and not for the states'', he added.

In fact, he said, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) was cracking up. The TRS had already left the coalition and everyone knew about Samajwadi Party and even Bahujan Samaj Party, he added.

Criticising the Congress for the ongoing controversy over Vande Mataram, the former BJP President said all those who were opposing to recite the national song must be punished under Prevention of insults to national honour Act.

Mr Naidu, who was here to inaugurate the national executive meet of BJP Mahila Morcha, admitted that women were yet to get due representation in the party organisation.

''I have no hesitation to admit it. The situation in BJP is like in any other party. It's because of weakness of our political system'', he added.

UNI AS/JJ SP 1452