18 yrs on, BJP nat'l exec meet to set agenda in state; to call TRS 'bluff'

From promising a separate Telangana in 100 days if the NDA returned to power at its national executive meeting in Hyderabad in 2004 to increasing its footprint and trying to emerge as a main challenger to the TRS in the coming national executive meeting to be held this July, much water has flown under the bridge for the BJP in India's youngest state, which turned eight on Thursday.

- Sribala Vadlapatla

Hyderabad: LK Advani, then deputy prime minister, addressing a rally at the Parade Grounds 18 years ago, said Telangana state would be a reality if the NDA returned to power. It was another thing that the UPA had won the election then.

BJP leaders said the executive meeting in Hyderabad on July 2-3 has a special purpose as the party will come out with all guns blazing. A separate declaration for winning the 2023 assembly elections as part of 'Mission Telangana' will be high on the agenda "The main thrust behind the meeting is to send out a clear message that we are here to win," a party leader said.