Leaders of Telangana political parties have dismissed the assertion of a section of Seemandhra leaders over making Hyderabad a joint capital in the event of formation of separate State claiming that such statements expose ‘conspiracy’ by a handful of investors to delay solution to the issue.
Forces inimical to separate Telangana are bent upon continuing exploitation of the region for their selfish ends and are trying to confuse people with their claims. The leaders have ridiculed the claims of Congress MP Lagadapati Rajagopal for referendum on Hyderabad and asserted that the Congress leaders who are going against the party high command’s actions should, instead, resign and go to the people prove the strength in their argument.
CPI general secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy, senior Congress leader K. Keshava Rao, TRS floor leader Etala Rajender, Rashtriya Lok Dal general secretary and MP Jayant Singh and Telangana Political Joint Action Committee convener M. Kodandaram, educationist Chukka Ramaiah and others were addressing an impressive gathering and a dharna organised by the CPI here on Saturday. They wondered how some Congress leaders, including two Ministers, were favouring referendum on Hyderabad citing the instances of Mumbai that was declared as capital of Maharashtra.
Mr. Sudhakar Reddy pooh-poohed the talk of alternatives like special status accorded to districts under erstwhile Hyderabad State in Karnataka, constitution of a regional committee and Hyderabad as a joint capital.
Mr. Rajender lamented that the Congress’ affairs were dominated by people like Mr. Rajagopal.
“The Congress and the UPA government will be held responsible for the consequences if the aspirations of the people are not met,” he said.
The RLD MP made light of the claims that formation of smaller States could lead to law and order problems. “If that was the case, why is the Panchayat Raj system put in place?”
Clear message
Prof. Kodandaram wanted a clear message to be sent to the Centre as there was one week left for it to come up with a solution to the issue. Dr. Keshava Rao was confident that separate Telangana would be a reality soon.
