KCR says T-state this month, creates a buzz

[1]

Telangana Rashtra Samiti chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao's assertion that the Centre would announce a separate state this month has created a stir in political circles, including in his own party. Reiterating his stance, Mr Rao said a separate Telangana state would be announced shortly, most likely this month, while addressing a programme at Anaparthy in Nalgonda district on Tuesday.

“The long-pending Telangana dream will be a reality very soon,” he said at a function to mark the first death anniversary of former TRS politburo member Kallam Yadagiri Reddy. Party politburo member B. Vinod Kumar also asserted that the Centre would take a positive decision on the statehood issue. “We have concrete information that the Centre will take a decision on Telangana,” he said. But if it does not, Mr Kumar warned, “we will be back on the streets”.

But TRS leaders themselves are uncertain how to react to Mr Rao’s claim, perhaps the first time he has said it so authoritatively. “He might have information from the Centre,” a senior TRS leader said, “But can we trust the Congress? Where will we stand if the Centre fails to take a decision this month, as is being claimed by our leader?” Senior Congress leaders were also puzzled at Mr Rao’s new Telangana mantra. “I have no information,” Congress MP Manda Jaganadham said. “I met party leaders in Delhi but there was no discussion on the issue,” he added.

Another Congress MP (name withheld on request) said, “It's better that the Centre puts an end to this stalemate in the interest of the state. My sources indicate the Centre might announce a package, though not a separate Telangana state.” Meanwhile, Congress MP Lagdapati Rajagopal, a strong opponent of the demand for bifurcation, asserted that the state would remain united.