Don't say 'Go back Andhra'

Telangana Political Joint Action Committee convenor Kodandaram on Thursday said that the people from the other two regions in Andhra Pradesh, Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema, will not need to return after a separate Telangana is formed.

Prof Kodandaram said that the demand for a separate Telangana state does not mean that cleansing the region of Seemandhra people, but having the right to make decisions for oneself, and to break the dominance of ‘capitalists’. The Tpjac convenor said that the slogan coined in the earlier struggle for Telangana ‘Andhra Go Back’, was not correct and should not have been taken up by the then leaders.

Speaking to the gathering after inaugurating a hunger fast site launched by people of Seemandhra regions in support for the separate Telangana demand, Prof Kodandaram said that there would be no pressure on the people of Andhra and Rayalaseema regions to leave.

Prof Kodandaram added that the separate statehood protagonists are only opposed to the domination of the ‘capitalists’ who are exploiting the natural resources of Telangana for their selfish ends. He added that the future government of Telangana state would be duty-bound to protect and support people whose originated in other places.

The Tpjac convenor also added that it was only some capitalists who were opposed to the bifurcation of the state and the common man across Andhra Pradesh was in favour of bifurcation of the state. He said that some “politicians with vested interests’ were coming in the way of Telangana state formation to protect their businesses and properties.” Prof Kodandaram added that the Tpjac was always in favour of dialogue and would welcome any Seemandhra leader who would come forward to discuss their problems.