Indra Karan fires salvo

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, NOV. 28. Mr. A. Indra Karan Reddy, convenor of the Telangana Congress Legislators Forum (TCLF), has taken strong exception to the APCC president, Mr. M. Satyanarayana Rao's ``anti-Telangana'' comments and said these were detrimental to the cause of a separate Telangana State.

In an open letter to Mr. Rao, a copy of which was released to the press, he expressed anguish at the former's comments and said they had caused confusion among the people of Telangana and the party cadre. ``It is needless to remind you that you are a product of the Telangana movement and have roots in the movement more than in any other public activity.''

He said till now, the TCLF had thought that Mr. Rao, made the comments casually and being president of PCC was playing safe so as to carry leaders and cadres of all regions with him. ``But now your comments are gradually taking the shape of anti- Telangana and it appears that no other PCC president even from other regions would have gone so far (in making comments) on this sensitive and popular regional sentiment.''

On its part, the TCLF was taking the ``sentiments of our masters -- that is our voters -- into full consideration'' and convince the party leadership at all levels in favour of Telangana, he said and contended that the AICC president, Ms. Sonia Gandhi, had wholeheartedly recognised these sentiments and encouraged TCLF activities.

It was after receiving a representation from the TCLF that the Congress Working Committee had formed a sub-committee and after the sub-committee made its recommendations, a State Reorganisation Commission was demanded. After such efforts, ``your comments have raised doubts about our party's intentions towards this regional sentiments.''

He ended his letter wondering if Mr. Rao made these comments in his individual capacity or whether there was sudden shift in the approach of the party, in particular the High Command and hoped that steps would be taken to protect the party's prospects in Telangana.

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Section  : Southern States
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