The Hindu : National : `TRS leader should apologise to Sonia'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Sep 14, 2004

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National

`TRS leader should apologise to Sonia'

By K.V. Prasad

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 13. Protest against the comments of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti leader, K. Chandrasekhara Rao, today grew with the Congress Working Committee member, G. Venkataswamy, demanding that the TRS president tender a personal apology to the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi.

Mr. Venkataswamy said Mr. Rao's outburst had marred the chances of an early resolution of the separate Telengana demand and had vitiated the atmosphere.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr. Venkataswamy regretted that he had played a major role in working out an alliance with the TRS and warned that such remarks could affect the understanding between the two parties.

"If this is the attitude, it would be difficult for us to continue with the ties."

He also objected to the remarks, coming as it did from a Cabinet Minister. To a question whether after launching such an attack against Ms. Gandhi, who is also the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson, Mr. Rao should continue to be a Minister, the Congress leader said that it was for Mr. Rao to decide.

Mr. Venkataswamy said the TRS chief's remarks had caused anguish to the people of Telangana and that he would be leading protests against Mr. Rao till he tendered a personal apology to Ms. Gandhi.

The Congress leader said Mr. Rao should understand that the issue of a separate Telangana had to be tackled with sensitivity since some of the partners supporting the UPA, such as the Left parties, were opposed to it.

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