The movement for formation of a separate state for Telangana region will continue until the goal is reached, Telangana Joint Action Committee chairman M.Kodandaram has declared.
Speaking at a round table on Telangana in New Delhi on Thursday, the TJAC chairman said that the movement was not just for financial independence of people from Andhra but also for a political identity for them. “The movement will continue regardless of what happens until we achieve Telangana state,” he said.
“Telangana people have been being taken for a ride for decades. Injustice has been done to them in all sectors. First and foremost, the Gentlemen’s Agreement meant for the development of Telangana region has been undermined. The region has got a raw deal in the irrigation sector. This has happened because most of the Andhra leaders were scheming and devious in nature.”
Kodandaram dismissed as baseless the argument that there would be a sharp decline in the revenue of a Telangana state if it was carved out. “On the contrary, it will be quite significant since even in the combined state, a major portion of revenue to the government is generated in the Telangana region,” he claimed.
The TJAC leader said it was unfortunate that the Congress, after promising Telangana state, did not keep its word and it was a shame on democracy that youths had to lay down their lives seeking statehood for their region. “The Congress cannot go on cheating the people of Telangana and people will not rest until their wish is fulfilled. Central to the demand for Telangana is the self-respect of Telangana people,” Kodandaram said.
Others who took part in the round table included K Keshava Rao and G Vivek (TRS), B Dattatreya (BJP) and Aziz Pasha (CPI).
Courtesy: The New Indian Express