Cong MLAs to intensify T stir despite CM's pleas

Congress MLAs from Telangana Region on Monday brushed aside Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy’s objections and vowed to continue and intensify their agitation for a separate state.

According to sources, Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy had objected to the MLAs’ raising the issue in the Assembly and had requested them to wait till the Centre takes a decision on the issue. The Chief Minister is reported to have reminded his party MLAs that Congress Core Committee member and Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had already given an assurance that the separate statehood issue would be addressed after March 1.

The Congress MLAs, who had met Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy at his Chambers, told the Chief Minister that they would continue with their protests inside the Assembly till the state government introduces a resolution urging the Centre to introduce a Telangana Bill in Parliament.

Later, MLA Bhikshmaiah Goud told media persons at Assembly Media Point that Telangana Congress MLAs would boycott the Budget session of Assembly until the government introduces a resolution on Telangana issue. He also warned the government of serious consequences if it fails to introduce a resolution on Telangana in the ongoing Assembly session.

Mr Goud further said that his party colleagues would go before the people and explain to them the exact situation. They would also intensify their agitation in the region, Mr Goud warned.

Another Congress MLA S Rajaiah said that the Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy had appealed to the MLAs to cooperate with Deputy Speaker Nadendla Manohar for the smooth functioning of the House.

Mr Rajaiah said that the delegation had made it clear to the Chief Minister that they would boycott the House.

Responding to a question, MLA Kichannagari Lakshma Reddy said that the Congress MLAs from Telangana Region would extend their support to Rail Roko agitation. He added that though different parties were adopting different methods of agitations, their ultimate goal was to achieve separate Telangana state.