Hyderabad: Cautioning the TRS government, which would take reins of Telangana on June 2, against adopting a confrontationist attitude towards the Centre, Union Minister for Urban Development, M Venkaiah Naidu said both governments should work hand-in-hand for the development of the new state.
"The time for politics is over (with the elections). We should now join hands for the development of the new state," Venkaiah Naidu said addressing workers of the BJP on Saturday.
He also said co-operation between the two states (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana) was as much essential as the co-operation with the Centre.
"Chief Ministers of the two states should sit and discuss all (contentious) issues. The Centre is ready to extend all support for the development of the states without discrimination," Venkaiah asserted, even as he indirectly asked Telangana Chief Minister-designate K Chandrasekhar Rao not to foment regional animosity.
"Some people are trying to create apprehensions among people by provoking regional feelings, particularly in Hyderabad. The city has people from all parts of the country living in harmony. We are one nation and one people. Nobody should provoke regional feelings," the senior BJP leader said, referring to some recent utterances by TRS leaders in particular reference to government employees.
"Division of employees will be done strictly as per established procedures. Guidelines in this regard have also been drawn and necessary orders will be issued today," he said.
Venkaiah stressed that the dream of a separate state of Telangana became a reality only because of the BJP.
"The Congress was forced into conceding the statehood demand only out of fear of the Modi wave. BJP had always supported Telangana in principle and promised to deliver the new state if it came to power. It was only to pre-empt that, the Congress carved out the new state," he pointed out.
Venkaiah, who landed in Hyderabad for the first time after taking charge as Union Urban Development Minister, was accorded a rousing reception at the Begumpet airport and brought to the state BJP office in a rally.
The former BJP chief remarked that he was not so much enthused when offered the Union Cabinet post because "my heart is in the party".
"I took political birth in the party and have risen in ranks to occupy many top posts, including the national president. I was more interested in serving the party," he remarked. MPs-elect Bandaru Dattatreya, Kambhampati Haribabu and several senior leaders were present.
