The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Congress leader begins ‘padayatra’

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Wednesday, Dec 23, 2009
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Congress leader begins ‘padayatra’

Staff Reporter

During the week-long walk for separate Telangana, Vaishali will cover a distance of 110 km

People in Telangana region aspire for statehood, she informs
It is described as a ‘thanksgiving’ gesture to Sonia Gandhi

PHOTO: M.MURALI

Marching ahead: Former Home Minister K. Jana Reddy and former Speaker K.R. Suresh Reddy at the launch of ‘padayatra’ by Congress leader Vaishali at Cheriyal in Warangal on Tuesday. —

CHERIYAL (WARANGAL DT.): Demanding immediate solution to a long-awaited separate Telangana State issue, Major Irrigation Minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah’s daughter-in-law and new entrant into the Congress party, Ms Vaishali launched a week long padayatra here on Tuesday.

Offers prayers

She began her padayatra after offering prayers at the historic Mallikarjuna Swamy temple at Komuravelli village. She would end her marathon walk at ancient Bhadrakali temple at Warangal covering nearly 110 kilometre en route.

Former speaker K.R. Suresh Reddy, former Home Minister K. Jana Reddy, senior leader Palvai Govardhan Reddy, Mayor E. Swarna, MLAs K. Sridhar and T. Rajaiah and several others were present here on Tuesday.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. K.R. Suresh Reddy pointed out that it was mandatory to move a resolution in the State Assembly for creation of separate Telangana, while Mr. Jana Reddy opined that it would be good if TRS merged with the Congress party as separate Telangana process was already initiated by the Centre.

Ms. Vaishali said cutting across the ideological differences, people in the region aspired for separate Statehood. Thanking AICC president Sonia Gandhi for giving her nod, she said the process should be expedited and soon the Telangana State should come into existence without any delay.

The Congress leaders described the padayatra as ‘thanksgiving’ gesture to their leader Sonia Gandhi and tell people that the Congress party had delivered its promise fulfilling long pending aspiration of the people of the region.

Huge crowd

Hundreds of party workers and general public turned up for the meeting held on the occasion at Komuravelli village. The audience were enthralled by the folk song and dance troupes.

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