T-State would soon be a reality, says D Srinivas

Former PCC president and MLC D Srinivas exuded confidence that the Congress high command would grant a separate Telangana State soon. "I have faith in Congress party. Once promised, it will not go back on its promise and will try to fulfill at any cost. I strongly believe that the Congress will announce a separate Telangana soon," he said.

Speaking at a press conference here on Tuesday, Mr D Srinivas said that the Telangana people were not against the Seemandhra people living in Hyderabad and other parts of the region and they were seeking only a separate State.

He pointed out that out of 56 years of Andhra Pradesh, leaders from Seemandhra region (Rayalaseema and Andhra) were Chief Ministers for over four decades while Telangana leaders held the post for only few years. Referring to the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS)'s proposal of merging with Congress, the former PCC chief said that the talk of merger had been there for quite a long time. "KCR himself said on many occasions that he was ready merge the party if the Congress agrees to accord Statehood to Telangana," he said.

"The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) was formed with the sole aim of achieving a Telangana State. Once the objective is achieved, the party will have no agenda to pursue," Mr Srinivas said.

He also observed that the Congress party was still enjoying the support of all sections of people in Telangana region as the Congress Governments at the State and the Centre had been taking up unprecedented development and welfare activities for the past eight years.