'T' Ministers takes U-turn on strike

Taking a U-turn on the Sakala Janula Samme, the general strike demanding Telangana, the Ministers from the region on Saturday asked the employees' unions to withdraw the strike.

Talking to reporters at Chief Minister's camp office, Panchayat Raj Minister K Jana Reddy appealed to the striking unions to withdraw the strike considering the inconvenience that the strike has been causing to the general public. He said that the general strike, which entered 33rd day on Saturday, has been obstructing the welfare programmes and the development of the region. Therefore, the strike must be withdrawn immediately.

Jana Reddy praised the employees' JAC and other pro-Telangana groups for organising a successful campaign which forced both the State and Central Governments to start the consultation process to resolve the Telangana issue. Stating that the Congress High Command has recognised the powerful agitation, he expressed hoped that it would give a decision in favour of Telangana State.

Earlier, ministers from the Telangana region had a meeting at Jana Reddy's residence to review the situation that aroused due to the general strike. The minister including B Saraiah, J Geetha Reddy, P Sabita Indira Reddy and K Sreedhar Babu discussed the future strategy to be adopted. However, the ministers decided against continuation of the general strike.

Later, the Telangana ministers had a meeting with Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy at his camp office and briefed him about their decision.