TO LEAD DELEGATION TO SONIA SOON - Separate T state only way now,says Keshava

Stating that the byelection results once again reflected the strong urge amongst the people of Telangana for immediate formation of a separate state,Rajya Sabha member K Keshava Rao claimed on Sunday that all Congress leaders from the region were committed to the cause. Addressing a media conference at his residence accompanied by party MP G Vivek and MLA B Sarayya, Rao said he never came across such a clear mandate for a separate state in his entire political career. The Rajya Sabha MP said a team of MPs from the state would call on Sonia Gandhi shortly and explain to her the ground reality in the region and the urgency to announce formation of a new state.A team of party MPs will call on AICC chief Sonia Gandhi to convey the strong sentiment of the people in support of a separate state.The time for debates and discussions on Telangana is over.The next item on agenda is the formation of a separate state and we will try our best to convince the high command about the enormous public support and sympathy towards the serious issue, he said.

Rao said Congress MLAs from the region did not resign from their posts since the party president had assured them of a positive view on Telangana.He said party leaders,including MPs,MLAs,MLCs and PCC officebearers were already in touch with him to discuss ways to present a strong case beforeAICC president. Stating that the movement for Telangana gained strong momentum after Dec 9 announcement of the Union home minister,Rao asked non-Telangana leaders to refrain from making any controversial remarks that could strain relations between the regions. We want to convey to AICC chief about sincerity and gravity of Telangana movement,unlike controversial agitations that were carried out in support of a unified state in non-Telangana regions in the aftermath of the Dec 9 announcement, he said.

Keshava Rao
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(source-toi)