BJP to intensify stir on Telangana

Hyderabad, Mar 23: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha Sushma Swaraj today said her party would intensify its agitation for Telangana's statehood.

Addressing the press here, she said the BJP was committed to the cause and had been fighting for statehood for Telangana.

Talking at a book release function on Swadeshi Jagarana Manch at Sirsilla in Karimnagar district, Ms Swaraj said she had raised the issue five times in the Rajya Sabha.

Asked why the NDA government did not consider Telangana and Vidharbha issues during its regime, she said the alliance partners did not give consent. Moreover, the states concerned -- Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra-- did not pass resolutions in the Assembly.

On Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati's proposal for carving out three states, she said the party had not discussed the issue.

She released a brochure today on the State Unit's dharna to be held on March 31 to protest alleged irregularities in the allotment of houses under the Rajiv Gruha Kalpa Scheme in the city at Greater Municipal Corporation here.

UNI