Rahul, Mayawati treating Bundelkhand like a tennis game: SANJAY

Alleging that the UPA government was delaying formation of Bundelkhand for political gains, Bundelkhand Akikrit Party (BAP) today said people of the region were being ''victimised'' by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati and the Congress.

BAP chief convener Sanjay Pandey claimed, ''Rahul Gandhi and Mayawati are playing a game of tennis and throwing the ball in each others' courts.'' ''Neither of them wants the other party to take credit of Bundelkhand's formation and are sabotaging the process,'' he told  UNI.

Mr Pandey elaborated that though the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister agreed in principle to the idea of dividing the state, procurement of funds from the Centre was a major issue.

''The UPA feels that the funds will be misused by the Mayawati government and in this blame game, the people of Bundelkhand are suffering,'' he added.

Since its formation in 2006, BAP has been demanding statehood for the region comprising Uttar Pradesh districts like Jhansi, Mahoba, Banda, Chitrakoot and Hamirpur and Madhya Pradesh districts Datia, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Panna and Sagar. ''Eight out of 10 labourers in Delhi belong to Bundelkhand because the region cannot offer them employment,'' Mr Pandey said.

''We have mineral resources like uranium, diamond and silica and tourist attractions but the state administrations are not paying attention to the region,'' he asserted.

BAP Delhi co-ordinator Raj Sharma opined, ''Until regions like Telangana, Vidarbha and Bundelkhand are granted statehood, development will not be witnessed in such areas.'' BAP workers also opined that the Centre had complete powers to ensure statehood for the region but was dithering.

''UPA lent an ear to Telangana for its political motives but is only claiming to be concerned about Bundelkhand,'' Mr Pandey claimed.