The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Bhongir meet cancellation shocks many

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Monday, Mar 24, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Bhongir meet cancellation shocks many

S. Ramu

Aaikya Kaaryacharana Committee to organise meeting today

Vuppunuthala Purushottam Reddy is now a ‘villain’ in the eyes of pro-Telangana forces
Intellectuals who work for Telangana cause also disappointed at cancellation of meeting

BHONGIR (NALGONDA DT.): A trip to New Delhi made Vuppunuthala Purushottam Reddy, Chairman, Telangana Development Board, a “villain” and a “betrayer” of the Telangana cause in his own turf.

His small group of staunch supporters, who expressed readiness to swim against the tides, are now dumbstruck with his decision to put off/cancel the Bhongir meeting on March 24 in a bid to “exhibit the magnitude” of the Telangana sentiment to the high command.

Those who were busy in making preparations cut a sorry figure with the sudden U-turn made by their leader. The Ramannapet MLA’s somersault has been talk of the town for the last couple of days.

“He was the hero before going to New Delhi but now a villain in the eyes of pro-Telangana forces. He was in a position to force the high command to take note of the strong sentiments favouring separate Telanagana but now has been thoroughly cornered by circumstances,” one of his loyalists told The Hindu on Sunday.

However, this second rung leader is happy “as our leader could project himself as a force to reckon with in the region.”

A group of intellectuals, who work for the Telangana cause, were also disappointed by the senior leader. “I had my own doubts about Mr. Reddy’s sincerity from the beginning. We thought he was prepared to sacrifice anything to make Bhongir meet a success but it was proved once again that the Congress leaders would make a volte-face to appease their high command,” a writer commented. The TRS leaders, who rubbed shoulders with Mr. Reddy’s supporters to mobilise people for the Bhongir meet, also fell flat with the latest developments.

‘Assessment wrong’

“Going by the tone and tenor of the MLA, we thought he was ready to cross swords against the high command but our assessment was proved wrong ,” a TRS leader commented.

Balladeer Gadar is also upset with the senior MLA’s decision to pay heed to the high command. Addressing a public meeting at Tipparthy on March 20, the revolutionary singer observed that the AICC president Sonia Gandhi had to “invite” the Congress seniors to New Delhi since they took a firm decision to go ahead with the Bhongir meeting.

Gadar trained his guns against Mr. Purushottam Reddy soon after the latter’s decision to follow the diktat of the high command without making any further fuss. “It’s a meek submission to the anti-Telangana forces. The Congress seniors should tender an apology to the people of Bhongir,” he said.

Accompanied by the State convener of the Telangana Aaikya Kaaryacharana Committee Pasham Yadagiri, on Sunday he visited the historic town to oversee the arrangements for the “dhoom dhaam” to be held on the same date.

“The Congress shamelessly exhibited its mean thinking on the Telangana issue. The political developments are the own making of the Congress leaders. They have to decide their future course of action,” Mr.Yadagiri said making it clear that they (Congress leaders) wouldn’t be invited for the Bhongir meeting.

The Committee is planning to take out a rally in Hyderbad before reaching the Junior College grounds in Bhongir on Monday evening.

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