TDP not to join stir for a united state

Kodela says party will not be part of any agitation led by Congress

Ahead of the crucial announcement on Telangana, differences between the Telugu Desam and the Congress might reduce the intensity of an impending agitation in favour of a united state.

Senior TDP leader Kodela Sivaprasada Rao told The Hindu on Thursday that the party would not join any agitation headed by the Congress in favour of a united state.

“We have already made our stand clear on the issue. The ball is in their (Congress) court and let them face consequences of any announcement made on this issue,’’ Dr. Sivaprasada Rao said. He also added that the Congress has stood exposed by its stand on the issue.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leaders have made it clear that they would not keep mum if a decision was made in favour of a separate state.

At a meeting held in Hyderabad, the Congress leaders from the district including former minister Gade Venkat Reddy and MLC T.G.V. Krishna Reddy have resolved that agitation favouring a united state would be intensified.

Delegation to Delhi

“It seems that feelers have been sent to the Centre that the agitation in favour of a united State is petering out. We are going to intensify the agitation from Friday by forming Joint Action Committees constituency-wise,’’ Mr. Krishna Reddy said on Thursday.

A delegation of Congress leaders from coastal and Rayalaseema regions would be heading to New Delhi on January 21 to press for a united State, he added.