HYDERABAD, July 9: The Andhra Pradesh unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in a dilemma regarding the launching of an agitation for achieving separate statehood for nine Telangana districts.There is no difference among the leaders on carving out a separate Telangana in keeping with the party policy for smaller states, but the immediate question facing them is whether the BJP should take the initiative in starting an agitation to achieve the object.Some of the state leaders met here on Tuesday morning to decide on the course of action they should adopt. But with the participants gravitating into two groups: one vehemently supporting a separate Telangana and the others opposing it equally fiercely, a confrontation became inevitable. The discussion was postponed to the next executive meeting at Kakinada in East Godavari district on July 12 and 13, where the party will make clear its stand on participating in the agitation.Party leaders who have been discussing the issue for the past six months point out that in principle, the BJP is in favour of a Telangana. It had always favoured smaller states for administrative convenience and had also backed the Uttarkhand agitation. Important leaders in the State unit are convinced that the interests of the people of Telangana have suffered. Interestingly, senior leaders hailing from the Andhra districts endorse this view.A breach had developed between the people of Andhra and Telangana due to agitations that swept the two regions and this was continuing. Hence, it was desirable that they separate, leaders in favour of Telangana argue.They contended that the party cadre in Telangana was in favour of a separatist agitation and there was every danger of the BJP getting alienated if their sentiments were ignored.
