Telangana Rashtra Samiti chief K. Chandrasekar Rao, rejecting the Union government’s contention that more consultations are required to end the impasse over the Telangana statehood demand, held a sit-in at Rajghat on Sunday and observed a few hours’ silence to highlight the prevailing scenario in the Telangana region.
Later in the day, KCR had a secret meeting with Telangana Congress leaders K. Keshav Rao and state Cabinet minister Jana Reddy at an undisclosed location for nearly two hours in a bid to evolve a common strategy to mount pressure on the Centre to agree to their demand for a separate state.
Calling on the Congress to take a stand on the issue, KCR questioned the rationale behind the government’s decision to hold further consultations. “What is the need for further consultations? How long will they take for a decision? Our people are suffering and dying in Telangana and here people want discussions. We need Telangana, not comforting words,” he said, adding, “The Prime Minister shou-ld deliver on the promise made on Telangana.”
The TRS leader said, “I will meet the PM to tell him what is happening in Telangana. I will also tell him that people are suffering there and an early decision on Telangana is the need of the hour.”
KCR’s son, TRS MLA K.T. Ramarao, criticised the UPA government for saying more consultations and discussions were required. “There is absolutely no need for further consultation. Congress has to make up its mind on the issue. Once it makes up its mind the issue will be settled. The NDA has said on the floor of Parliament that it would support a bill on the formation of Telangana state if it is brought to the House. So there is no need for more discussion.”
Prof. Kothandaraman, leader of the Joint Action Committee on Telangana and supporters of a separate Telangana state, also joined KCR at the sit-in at Rajghat.