The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Ball now in Congress camp, says TRS chief

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Monday, Jan 28, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Ball now in Congress camp, says TRS chief

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: All the 23 MPs, MLAs and MLCs of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) handed over their resignation letters by Sunday evening to party president K. Chandrasekhar Rao, expressing solidarity with his decision that they would all put in their papers en masse on March 6 if the demand for separate Telangana was not conceded.

After receiving letters from the last few MPs and MLAs, Mr. Rao told reporters that he was overwhelmed by the response from his colleagues. He described their sacrifice as invaluable to the party. It is also a significant milestone in the history of separate Telangana movement, he said.

With such committed leadership behind the struggle, Mr. Rao said statehood for Telangana is imminent. It is now left to Congress MPs, MLAs and MLCs from the region to decide for themselves. Either they travel the same path or face the wrath of people, he said.

Reminding the Congress leaders that they won the last elections riding the crest of Telangana wave, Mr. Rao warned them that they could not delay taking a decision. And when they resign, the Congress high command will have no option but to concede the demand, he said.

The TRS chief also asked the Telugu Desam to break its silence on the issue as it will also seek mandate of people in the region.

With the exception of Congress and TDP, all other parties on political horizon extended their support to separate Telangana. Even the Marxists made it clear that they would not obstruct the new State if the Government decides. Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy is the only obstacle to the creation of the State, he added.

Replying to a question why the party hurried up resignations after setting March 6 as deadline, Mr. Rao said it is intended to facilitate their bus yatra en masse in Telangana from March 7.

They will first visit constituencies which they represented and then tour rest of the region.

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