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Uddhav, Naidu team up against Congress

February 05, 2014 18:13 IST
TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu with Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray

Flaying the United Progressive Alliance government for its ‘unilateral’ decision on the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, Telugu Desam Party President N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday said the Congress is not in a position to convince its members on the tumultuous issue of "equal justice" for people of Telangana as well as Seemandhra.

The TDP leader was speaking to reporters after meeting Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray at the latter's residence.

"With the consent of the states, we have to work for the progress of the people, otherwise there will be no federalism and there will be a problem for national integrity," Naidu said.

"That is what our forefathers have written in the Constitution. India is a mature democracy, the biggest democracy. The Centre has to take states into confidence. It is doing all these things in violation (of the Constitution) and this is not correct," he said.

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Uddhav, Naidu team up against Congress

February 05, 2014 18:13 IST

"That is why I came here to request him (Uddhav). The TDP is very clear from the beginning. The party was started for the promotion of Telugu people. Just like the Shiv Sena, the TDP is also concerned about the Telugu people, about promoting their self respect," Naidu said.

"By this bifurcation, they (Centre) have to satisfy both the regions. If they have to take Telangana, they have to convince Seemandhra people. If they have to keep (the state) united, they have to convince people of Telangana," he said.

There was "match fixing" going on between the Congress, YSR Congress chief Jagan Mohan Reddy and the Telangana Rashtra Samithi on the issue, Naidu alleged.

"Without consulting, unilaterally, they (Centre) want to impose these things sitting at Delhi and this is what we are opposing," Naidu said.

"That is why we are seeking Shiv Sena’s support. That is why I came here," he said.

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Uddhav, Naidu team up against Congress

February 05, 2014 18:13 IST
Supporters of Telangana shout slogans against Chandrababu Naidu

"The Congress created this problem. Their own ministers are opposing (the bifurcation). If you are not in a position to convince your own party Members of Legislative Assembly or Members of Parliament, how can you move forward," he said.

"I have been demanding an amicable solution acceptable to both the regions," Naidu said.

"Now they have created a national crisis. Parliament is not functioning for the last six months," he said.

Sena President Uddhav Thackeray said, "Naidu has explained his stance in detail. The Sena also has the same view. We have always opposed the Congress policy of divide and
rule."

"The Centre has started this fight between Telugu people. The fight has escalated to such an extent that there is fear that there will be division of minds," Uddhav said.

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