Seeking to mobilise support for BJP in Telangana and Seemandhra, party leader M Venkaiah Naidu said the two regions should support leadership of Narendra Modi as BJP is more credible than Congress in fulfilling promises made during division of Andhra Pradesh.
"Let us focus on the future. Both the states (Telangana and Seemandhra) have got a great future. But, much depends on the next Central government for fulfilling these promises. You need a good Central government.
"So, credibility should be seen by people. Congress never fulfils its promises.
BJP fulfilled its promises. We have shown it in Chhattisgarh, MP, Goa and Punjab, where ever it (BJP) was in power. Secondly, who has the possibility of winning the election and becoming Prime Minister," Naidu asked.
Noting the election surveys conducted by different agencies have shown BJP to be much ahead of Congress, he said Telangana and Seemandhra should fill the gap of 40-50 seats the saffron party is said to have in reaching numbers required to assume power.
"Let the Telangana people and Seemandhra people fill up that gap. Become partners in development, stand by the leadership of Narendra Modi. So that all these packages that have been announced can be fulfilled effectively," he said.
Asked about possible alliances in the two regions, the senior BJP leader said no decision has been taken on the matter and that BJP has an open mind on the issue.
BJP's Telangana and Seemandhra units would sit separately and take a call on the matter, he said.
Replying to a query on the remarks by some parties and leaders from Seemandhra that BJP has let them down by not blocking the Telangana bill, the former party president said BJP has fulfilled its promise of supporting Telangana bill and tried to resolve the problems of Seemandhra.
"We have not let down anybody. It is for respective political parties to decide whether they want alliance or not. It is for them to decide. Choice is theirs. In politics, alliance is not made out of love," Naidu said. Alleging that Congress has played "games" on the issue of bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, Naidu claimed the ruling party tried to "trap the BJP".
"In spite of the fact that Congress has played political game of not bringing Telangana bill in the last nine years, nine months and they brought the bill only at the fag end of their tenure. But, they wanted to trap the BJP and to criticise it that it has gone back (on its word). We wanted to prove our credibility. We have done it. We are happy about the creation of Telangana," he said.
Naidu alleged that Congress has done the division of Andhra Pradesh in a perverted manner.
"It is unfortunate that Congress has done it in a perverted manner, blacking out Lok Sabha proceedings, not allowing all political parties to speak on the issue, not giving a fair opportunity to have proper debate. Congress is responsible," he said.
Asked about NCP Chief Sharad Pawar's U-turn and attack on Modi, he said it need not be taken seriously as people of Gujarat have elected Modi chief minister thrice and Congress MLAs joined BJP even now.