UPA betrayed people of Telangana: Advani

HYDERABAD: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani Tuesday charged the

Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government of betraying

people of Telangana by going back on its promise to carve out separate

state.Advani, whose "Jan Chetna Yatra" entered Andhra Pradesh,

addressed a road show at Adilabad town, about 300 km from Hyderabad,

Tuesday evening.The former deputy prime minister accused the

government of backtracking on its December 9, 2009 announcement to carve out

separate Telangana state."I was present in parliament when the government made a promise to deliver Telangana," recalled Advani.He

reiterated that the BJP is ready to support a bill for formation of

separate Telangana state if the government tables it during the winter

session of parliament.The BJP leader said there was anger and

frustration among people of Telangana as they were repeatedly betrayed.

"Out of this anger and frustration, many youth and students are

committing suicide. There is no other region in the country where people

are committing suicide demanding statehood," he said.Advani's anti-corruption yatra entered Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh from Maharashtra. After

the road shows in Adilabad district, he will reach Nizamabad. After a

night halt, he will visit various towns in Nizamabad, Medak and Ranga

Reddy districts before reaching Hyderabad to address a public meeting

here Thursday.During his three-day visit, Advani's yatra will cover 400 km in Telangana.