Date:10/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/10/stories/2006091010930400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Shabbir Ali offers to resign

Special Correspondent

He asks Narendra to follow suit

HYDERABAD: Responding to the challenge thrown by the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), Information Minister Mohd Ali Shabbir on Saturday offered to resign as MLA and seek re-election, but asked A. Narendra too to follow suit.

Contesting the view expressed by TRS leaders that Telangana people were not with the Congress, he said that "the fact is otherwise."

He added: "When we seek re-election, we will know with whom the people are sailing." At a press conference on Saturday, the Minister said the contest between him and Mr. Narendra could serve as a sample survey indicating the relative strengths of the two parties and pre-empt resignations by others as sought by the TRS leadership.

Mr. Shabbir asked the TRS leaders to change their language and be dignified while speaking about Telangana. He criticised them for giving an impression that they were the only ones working for Telangana Statehood, forgetting that the Congress leaders too from the region fought for it.

Referring to TRS leaders' talk of betrayal by the Congress, the Minister said his party had not given any commitment on Telangana.