TDP agrees to join JAC; Congress ministers in Delhi

TDP legislators from the Telangana region hold a meeting in Hyderabad December 25, 2009. Photo: G. Krishnaswamy

The Joint Action Committee, spearheading the Telangana agitation, received a boost on Sunday with Telugu Desam leaders from that region agreeing to join it, even as Congress ministers demanded a “time-frame” for the formation of a separate State.

Rallies and protest demonstrations were held across the State on Sunday for the fourth consecutive day in support of a Telangana State.

Prof. K. Kodandaram, convener of the JAC formed last week to intensify agitation for a separate State, said leaders of main opposition party TDP agreed to join the panel.

Several TDP MLAs from the Telangana region also attended a scheduled meeting of the JAC that has so far consisted the TRS, the Congress, the BJP and a large number of outfits fighting for separate Statehood.

Prof. Kodandaram said the TDP has agreed to join the Committee on the condition that the partner parties should not indulge in criticism against each other.

Ministers in New Delhi

Meanwhile, Ministers from the Telangana region, who have sent their resignations to Sonia Gandhi, arrived in New Delhi to hold discussions with top leadership and demanded that the Centre should set a “time-frame” for the formation of a separate State.