Mahbubnagar (AP): With the Centre appearing to dragging its feet on taking the process of creating Telangana forward, senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj yesterday set December as the deadline for Congress to get the Bill to carve out the separate state passed in Parliament or face the consequences.
"Development could be immediately kick-started in Telangana if the Bill for creation of the new state is passed in winter session... Congress would be "exposed" if it is not done," Swaraj said addressing a "Telangana Praja Garjana" (people's roar) rally organised by BJP here Saturday night.
Sushma said her party would launch a "second round of struggle" if the Bill is not passed.
The issue did not move ahead though 60 days have elapsed since the Congress Central Working Committee decision, she said.
The Leader of Opposition also debunked talk that BJP made a U-turn on the Telangana issue as it was seeking to reestablish ties with the Telugu Desam Party.
"We will wait till December. If Telangana Bill is passed in Parliament in the winter session, I will come here again to celebrate. Otherwise, I will come to lead the second round of struggle for Telangana," she said.
Swaraj said, "On one side, there is happiness that the Congress decided to carve out Telangana but on the other there is apprehension that it may go back on its decision. The issue did not move ahead though 60 days have elapsed since the Congress Central Working Committee decision".
Swaraj said Congress cannot be trusted on the issue as it had earlier promised Telangana but subsequently went back on its word. "Hence we are apprehensive that it may deceive people once again," she remarked.
The BJP would unconditionally support the Telangana Bill if it was placed in Parliament in accordance with the resolution adopted by the CWC, she said.
Swaraj said BJP rejected the RPA (Amendment) Ordinance that sought to protect convicted politicians from holding on to their seats but supported the Food Security Bill in people's interest.
