Date:15/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/15/stories/2008051558120300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Telangana is not a reality because of YSR, says former V-C K. Jaishankar

Staff Reporter

‘TRS will withdraw from byelections if Congress gives commitment for separate Telangana’

ADILABAD: Former Vice-Chancellor of Kakatiya University and separate Telangana ideologue Professor K. Jaishankar on Wednesday blamed Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy for separate Telangana State not becoming a reality yet.

Prof. Jaishankar said it was wrong on the part of the latter to say that Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) was responsible for the State not being carved out.

Addressing Telangana intellectuals at a meeting organised by the Telangana Vidyavanthula Vedika here, the Professor reiterated that TRS will withdraw from the byelections in case the Congress gave a commitment for carving out the State.

Mr. Jaishankar said the party had sought fresh mandate of the people as it had become necessary following the ruling party’s adamant stand on the issue of a separate State.

Assurances

Tracing the events that led to an electoral alliance between TRS and Congress during the 2004 elections, the retired Vice Chancellor said the Congress had given many assurances at different stages. However, all the promises were broken by that party, he added.