Don’t play with lives of Telugus: Naidu

• Launches indefinite fast at AP Bhavan in Delhi
• AP Bhavan officials refuse permission
• Says Cong decision created turmoil in AP
• Its insensitivity is aggravating situation
• Centre did not consult any leader from State
• Even in the cases of Andhra and AP states, talks held
• Nehru, Indira visited State those times, “where is Manmohan now?”
• Stresses that amicable solution need of the hour
• Talks should be held with JACs from both regions

Irked by YSRCP supremo Y S Jaganmohan Reddy taking the lead, TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday launched his indefinite fast to protest against the Congress-led UPA Government decision on bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh for the creation of Telangana.

Bringing his battle to the capital, Naidu is fighting more for his political survival than merely espousing the cause of the people of Seemandhra. With Jaganmohan Reddy sitting on fast in Hyderabad, he had no alternative but to move to Delhi, giving it a twist, saying that he wants to expose at the national level the dirty games being played by the Congress.

He attacked the Congress for striking deals with TRS in Telangana and YSRCP in Seemandhra for its selfish political gains, leaving the people of Seemandhra region high and dry. His fast, he said, was to bring to national limelight the plight of the people of Seemandhra. Naidu launched his indefinite fast at 8:30 on Monday morning. After paying homage at NTR Ghat in Hyderabad, he arrived in the capital, where he paid homage to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi and sat on fast at the Andhra Pradesh Bhavan to expose at the national level the crass power politics being played by the Congress

In a dramatic move, the Andhra Pradesh Resident Commissioner Shashank Goel conveyed in writing, “We have given permission to Chandrababu Naidu for press conference only. We request him to change the venue of fast.”

Unfazed, Naidu garlanded the statue of B R Ambedkar at the AP Bhavan and sat on fast. Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav was the first to call on him to express his solidarity.

Addressing the media soon after his arrival, Naidu invoked the Italian word ‘immobilismo’ (standstill), saying only that way Congress President Sonia Gandhi can understand the situation that is prevailing in Seemandhra region.

The Congress cannot play with the lives of Telugu people. He demanded that the government call the JACs and the civil society members on both sides for talks to find an amicable solution.

He accused the Congress of treating the issue of bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh as an internal matter of the Congress. When Andhra State was carved out of Madras Presidency in 1953, it was preceded by one-year-long talks. Even when the erstwhile Hyderabad State was merged with Andhra State to form Andhra Pradesh in 1956, the leaders of both regions were called to Delhi and the Gentlemen’s Agreement was signed. This time round, no such initiative was taken by the Centre.

In the 1950s, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru visited the State and again in 1971 when the Telangana agitation was at its peak. Indira Gandhi also paid a visit to the State. “Where is Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. People are expressing lack of confidence in the Government,” he said.

The issue of the problems of Seemandhra people was raised by his party in the just-concluded Monsoon Session of Parliament. Naidu said he had personally called on President Pranab Mukherjee and met leaders of all major political parties to apprise them of the burning scene in Seemandhra. The Centre has been extremely insensitive and never bothered to react on it, he said.

Referring to the fifth option of Justice B N Srikrishna Committee Report, Naidu said the Centre should have held wide-ranging discussions to arrive at an amicable settlement. But it was never done, he said. No one connected with Andhra Pradesh was called for talks, including himself, who has been Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister for nine years and is presently Leader of Opposition. Instead, Congress spokesman P C Chacko, Union Minister M Veerappa Moily, AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh and Defence Minister A K Antony – none of whom is connected with Andhra Pradesh – are deciding the fate of Andhra Pradesh.