Struggle for Telangana will be peaceful: Chandrasekhara Rao

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, MAY 2. The Telangana Rashtra Samithi president, Mr. K. Chandrasekhar Rao, on Wednesday said the movement launched by him for a separate Telangana would be markedly different from the 1969 agitation in that settlers from other regions would not be asked to leave.

Addressing a press conference, Mr. Rao said there would not be any crude slogans of asking people of other regions to leave Telangana or resort to violence. ``They need not fear us. We will not displace those who have settled down here for a living, for starting business or become entrepreneur. Our movement would be on scientific, democratic and peaceful lines.''

In fact, a number of settlers had called on him to appreciate his stand and extend support to him. This apart, he signalled at the sympathisers from Nellore who were present at the Samithi office. The response he was receiving was much more than that in 1969, he claimed. If students and employees were the main supporters at that time, it would be farmers this time, who are the worst victims of the Government's policies.

Mr. Rao showed the Samithi's flag and released an audio cassette ``Telangana Jayabheri'' and a poster for the rally scheduled for May 17 at Karimnagar. The flag colour akin to a rose, is symbolic of the ``love and affection'' of the people of Telangana, he explained.

After the rally, he would tour all mandals in Telangana region, if necessary hiring a helicopter. To a question, he said there was no question of ``bargaining'' with the Telugu Desam Government, ``which any way is thick skinned.'' There was no need to adopt a resolution in the State Assembly for a separate Telangana. ``It is simply a revival of an old demand.''

How would he accommodate senior leaders from other parties who were likely to join the Samithi. He said they need not join the Samithi, if they were angling for posts. The Samithi would be converted into a political party at an appropriate time.

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