Follow party orders first, then criticise: Harish Rao to Cong

Brushing aside criticism levelled against him for leading an attack on Information and Broadcasting Minister J Geetha Reddy’s residence, Telangana Rashtra Samithi Leader and MLA T Harish Rao told his critics to first answer their own party leaders and then turn their attention towards the TRS.

Speaking to media persons at the Assembly premises on Tuesday, the TRS leader reminded that the Congress leaders from Telangana had on August 14 warned those who participate in the AP Formation Day celebrations would be seen as betrayers to the Telangana cause.

Stating that he had no personal animosity towards Information and Broadcasting Minister J Geetha Reddy, Harish Rao stated that she became his target as she was the Minister from the district he was elected to the Assembly from.

He also stated that the TRS cadre was provoked in breaking the glass panes and other acts of vandalism only after police had attacked them. He also accused the Minister of giving the protesting TRS cadre the slip by leaving through the back door of her house.

The TRS leader also criticised Ms Geetha Reddy for speaking about her mother’s love for Telangana, and mentioned that Eshwaribai had gone to jail for the sake of a separate state, but never following her footsteps. He said that this was a pointer to the Congress leaders’ dual standards towards Telangana.

He stated that there was no need to celebrate the AP Formation Day in the region since it has suffered from the injustices at the hands of the Seemandhra leaders ever since it has been formed. He added that about 600 students have so far laid down their lives for a separate state.