Terming the Union Cabinet's decision to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh as "high-handed", Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday accused Congress of resorting to "worst politics" and said Sonia Gandhi would remain as the "first culprit" in the issue.
Addressing a press conference at his residence late on Thursday night, Chandrababu attacked the Centre over the manner in which it sought to go ahead with the bifurcation process without addressing the concerns of the people of coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema.
"It's a high-handed decision. It (Centre) has never engaged both sides in discussion to sort out the problems despite a strong people's agitation in Seemaandhra for the last 65 days. The Centre behaved as if it didn't care about the people," the former Chief Minister alleged.
Chandrababu recalled that senior BJP leader LK Advani too wanted justice to be done to both sides before going ahead with the division.
"Congress took the decision to divide AP only to serve its political vested interests. It has never cared about the national interests or the people's interests. Congress has only contributed to enhancement of animosity between Telugu people," he said.
"Congress's game plan is to merge TRS in Telangana and strike a deal with YSR Congress in Seemaandhra. People could clearly see through this," he added.
{{/usCountry}}"Congress's game plan is to merge TRS in Telangana and strike a deal with YSR Congress in Seemaandhra. People could clearly see through this," he added.
{{/usCountry}}"Congress is treating the whole issue as its internal affair and playing with the lives of people."