Differences between the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and the Telangana joint action committee (JAC) which have persisted in the last six months came into the open during the Telangana March here on Sunday.
How the party will react to the call given by JAC for a dharna at Bapu Ghat here on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti has now become the topic of discussion among the Telangana supporters.
The March widened the chasm between them just when it was believed that their differences had been ironed out after the TRS mobilised massive crowds at Necklace Road and made all other arrangements.
Vimalakka’s remark
A stray remark by cultural artiste Vimalakka that separate Telangana will not become a reality by touching people’s feet in New Delhi led to heartburn among TRS legislators. This was in reference to the continued stay of TRS president K. Chandrasekhar Rao in New Delhi to lobby for Telangana.
Besides, TRS MLA T. Harish Rao was not called on to the stage. Adding insult to injury, his party colleagues were asked by a JAC leader to leave and face the teargas shells that were lobbed at a short distance away. It led to the entire team of TRS MLAs walking out in protest.
Reacting to the development, a TRS MLA told The Hindu that JAC chairman M. Kodandaram made no effort to chide Vimalakka for her remark. This was not the way to treat the biggest constituent of JAC which was floated by Mr. Rao himself.
TRS not consulted
He also said Mr. Kodandaram or other JAC leaders did not consult TRS when it was decided to continue the meeting beyond the permitted 7 p.m. “It really upset us.” Admitting that the relations between the two were strained after the by-elections to Parkal and Mahabubnagar seats, he said the party mobilised a huge crowd in spite of that.
The TRS and JAC never took each other into confidence ever since the latter gave the call for the March. Mr. Rao issued the first public statement supporting the March only after the JAC secured permission a day before. Sources said it had become inevitable for the TRS to go with the JAC in view of the latter’s aggressive pursuit for the success of the programme.
