The demand for a separate state of Telangana echoed in the Rajya Sabha today amidst exchanges between the opposition and treasury bench members blaming each other for the delay. Participating in a discussion on a Private Members Resolution, Mr V Hanumanta Rao of the Congress expressed grave concern over the loss of lives and property in the pro-Telangana agitation in Andhra Pradesh.

Mr Hanumanta Rao accused the Telugu Desam Party of maintaining double standards on the issue. He also blamed the then NDA government for its failure to decide on Telangana along with the announcement of three other new states of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand. This led to heated exchange of word forcing the adjournment of the House.

The House was adjourned twice again for 15 minutes each when some of the members complained of burning smell in the Chamber. It later resumed the discussion, which remained inconclusive. The Resolution was moved by Mr Prakash Javadekar of the BJP on 4th of this month.