Why were Seemandhra leaders silent in 2004: VH

Demanding that they clarify on their silence, Rajya Sabha member and senior Congress leader from Telangana V Hanumantha Rao on Friday questioned Seemandhra leaders of the party why they had not raised objections when former chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy entered into an electoral alliance with the Telangana Rashtra Samithi during the 2004 General Elections.

Talking to media persons here, Mr Hanumantha Rao wondered what the Seemandhra leaders were doing when Dr YSR initiated talks with the TRS, an avowedly pro-separate statehood party, over the electoral alliance before the 2004 General Elections.

“They (the Seemandhra leaders) were silent even when the separate Telangana statehood demand became part of the party’s election manifesto in 2004. What is the reason behind their silence then?, the senior politician wondered.

“Why had they not raised any objections at that time and why are they opposing Telangana state formation now?,” he asked.

“Besides this, why are there objections to two Telugu speaking states in the country when there are many states where Hindi is spoken?” Mr Hanumantha Rao questioned.

Stating that the High Command was inclined favourably towards Telangana state formation, the senior leader said that the process for the creation of the separate Telangana state has been delayed due to objections raised by Seemandhra leaders over Hyderabad.

He also alleged that Seemandhra leaders were provoking the Telangana students by making controversial statements. Mr Hanumantha Rao advised the students not to lose their patience and observe restraint.

Assuring the settlers in Hyderabad would not affected even after formation of Telangana state, the senior leader urged the Seemandhra leaders to agree to the bifurcation of the state and live like brothers do in a family.