Decision on T by Dasara: KCR

[1]

Telangana Rashtra Samiti chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Saturday asserted that a positive decision on Telangana was expected before the Dasara festival. Mr Rao, who met TNGOs JAC leaders including Devi Prasad, Swami Goud, Vittal and others at his Gajwel farmhouse, said the Centre would soon call an all-party meeting in this regard. Significantly, Mr Rao did not invite TJAC chairman M. Kodandaram and Telangana Gazetted Officers leader Srinivas Goud, indicating the growing rift between them.

“We are unaware of the meeting. Only TNGOs’ leaders have gone. We were busy with meeting T-Congress MPs,” Mr Srinivas Goud said. Mr Rao reportedly told the TNGOs’ leaders at the meeting, “The Centre is fa-vourably inclined towards Telangana. A decision was to be taken in September itself, but it was delayed due to the crisis that came about when Trinamul Congress quit the UPA.”

He added, “You (TNGOs) should be ready to go to New Delhi if needed. Let us all work together to achieve Telangana. I expect an announcement this month...say by Dasara.” TNGOs’ leaders admitted to certain mistakes during the T-march and requested Mr Rao not to take it to heart. “We regret certain incidents. The differences have been sorted out. Mr Rao agreed to participate in the TJAC steering committee meeting and work for Telangana,” a TNGO leader told this correspondent. The TNGOs’ leaders met Mr Rao following reports of differences between him and Prof Kodandar-am, especially after the successful T-march in Hyderabad and tried to sort out the same.

After the T-march, Prof Kodandaram had called on various political parties to thank them for their support. However, Mr Rao had reportedly excused himself, saying he was busy. Saturday’s meeting lasted for about 4 hours, during which Mr Rao reportedly shared his discussions with the Congress leadership in New Delhi. He tried to convince the TNGOs’ leaders that in view of a favourable decision on Telangana there was no need for the TJAC to intensify the agitation, it is learnt. “If the Centre says “no” to Telangana, I will be the first person to re-launch the agitation. Let us wait till it comes clear on Telangana. It is not too far away. If it says no, we will collectively take up the fight,” he said.

According to sources, Mr Rao was peeved at the attitude of Prof Kodandaram and criticism against him and the TRS by Vimalakka and others during the T-march. “Why did TJAC give so much importance to those who are not part of it? This is not correct. TJAC cannot do anything without the support of political parties,” Mr Rao reportedly told the TNGOs’ leaders. After the T-march, Prof Kodandaram had called on various political parties to thank them for their support. However, Mr Rao had reportedly excused himself, saying he was busy. Mr Rao’s terms with Prof Kodandaram soured after the Mahbubnagar bypoll and the TJAC’s decision to go ahead with the T-march even as Mr Rao was busy holding dialogue with the Congress leadership in Delhi has only added to the bitterness.