Congress MP Lagadapati Rajagopal on Saturday reiterated his stance that the division of Andhra Pradesh would create an atmosphere favourable to the growth of ISI-encouraged activities and strengthening of terrorist groups backed by Pakistan.
After initially asserting at a press conference that “Hyderabad will become the hotbed of terrorist activities” in the event of formation of separate State of Telangana, Mr. Rajagopal said towards the end of his interaction with the media that it was not a question of Hyderabad alone, as bifurcation would encourage these elements in the region.
The MP said just as Pakistan eyed Hyderabad along with Jammu and Kashmir soon after independence, the alliance of ISI, Al Qaeda, Taliban and the like would once again set their eyes on Hyderabad in the event of bifurcation. It would be detrimental to the Andhra region too. The former Prime Minister late Indira Gandhi had the vision to reject the demands for separate Telangana and separate Andhra States as she knew such a danger existed, he said.
Asked why the Lanco Power was not selling power to AP, Mr. Rajagopal maintained that he was no longer associated with the management of Lanco group. Still, when AP Transco JMD Ajay Jain called him, he asked the Lanco Power to “consider the possibility of selling power to Andhra Pradesh first.” “But I think the Telangana leaders, who gave a call for boycotting the products made by Andhra entrepreneurs should apologise and plead with Lanco, so that the request may be considered,” he said.
The MP said he presented three reports to the Srikrishna Committee so far, and two more would be presented before the March 22 deadline. Asked whether he would like to present his reports to PCC president, who would be presenting the party's view to the committee, Mr. Rajagopal said it was necessary for the PCC to take all points of view into consideration while preparing its report “if the report is not to become a laughing stock”.
