BJP supports demand for separate Telangana state: Gadkari

London, July 18 (ANI): Supporting the demand for creating of a separate state of Telangana, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Nitin Gadkari has assured the protagonists of the cause that his party will fulfill the long standing aspirations of the people of the region after coming back to power at the Centre.

Addressing an impressive gathering of the Telangana Development forum, UK, here last evening, he said the BJP has always been in favour of smaller states and will be the first national political party to adopt a resolution for a separate Telangana state if elected to power.

Gadkari accused the ruling Congress Party for the present crisis in Andhra Pradesh where legislators, belonging to the region, from different political parties including the ruling Congress have tendered their resignations in support of their just and reasonable demand.

He alleged that the ruling Congress Party was continuing with its delaying tactics by sitting over the recommendations of the Justice Srikrishna Commission, which was asked to look into the issue.

Gadkari assured the pro-Telangana activists that the BJP will complete the proposed irrigation projects and undertake river connectivity programme for better water management of the Krishna and Godavari rivers after coming back to power at the Centre.

"We will ensure proportionate water for Telangana and make it prosperous and economically viable state with improved agriculture and irrigation," he said.

The BJP President further said his party proposes to prepare a vision document for an all round progress and development of Telangana.

BJP Mahila Morcha President and newly elected Rajya Sabha member from Gujarat Smriti Irani speaking on the occasion recalled that the mounting discontent and disillusionment among the protagonists of a separate Telangana was first reflected in the movement organised by the students of Osmania University when they launched a protest against discrimination in government jobs against Telangana people more than 40 years ago.

Convenor of the Overseas Friends of BJP, Vijay Jolly, and his co-convenor Amit Thaker also spoke on the occasion, besides the leaders of the Telangana Development forum, UK.

The BJP President and his delegation also visited the Swaminarayan temple, a Gurudwara and a Sanatam Dharam Temple in Southall. (ANI)