The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : TDP sings a different tune on Telangana

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Saturday, Jan 12, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

TDP sings a different tune on Telangana

K. Venkateshwarlu

HYDERABAD: Telangana leaders of the TDP have thrown hints that the party may shed its ideological stand favouring an integrated State and support separate Telangana, “if the situation so demands”.

The refrain among the leaders of the region is that the party cannot afford to be oblivious to a fast developing political situation where they feel that the credibility of the Congress and TRS is at the lowest ebb vis-a-vis separate Telangana.

Both these parties have deceived people of the region, the Congress by announcing second States Reorganisation Commission after dragging its feet over the issue for nearly four years, and the TRS by opposing it now after supporting it in a pre-election understanding with Congress, they observed. “People of the region are in no mood to believe them.

We can expose both of them. It is like two birds with one shot situation for us and we should not let go this opportunity,” argues senior party leader E. Peddi Reddy. Mr. Reddy explained that as a political entity, the TDP would not be found wanting in evolving a strategy to take advantage of the situation.

“No party would like to commit suicide by being inflexible and not respecting the wishes of the people. It is just that we are waiting for an opportune time for taking an appropriate decision.”

He refused to elaborate further but gave enough indications that the party was prepared to go to any extent to defeat its arch rival - the Congress.

‘SRC Congress ploy’

He said that the second SRC idea could be a ploy by the Congress to test the waters.

“I think it is floated just to see the reaction within the party and the TRS. Now that they have gauged the pulse the decision could be something else.” Another prominent leader T. Devender Goud was not so forthcoming but contended that the party was alive to the ground realities and the implications of second SRC and finalise its stand accordingly.

“We are studying the situation closely and will leave no stone unturned in bringing our party back to power.” Other party leaders echoed similar feeling broadly indicating that the party was not so stubborn and could walk that extra mile over Telangana if it meant ensnaring the rivals and ensuring its success irrespective of the geographical boundaries.

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