TRS Chief to go on Fast; Accuses PM of merely Buying Time

Rejecting PM Manmohan Singh's appeal,Telangana protesters on Monday threatened to intensify their agitation if the Centre does not immediately announce the formation of the state even as TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao declared he may go on a fast-unto-death.

After a 30-minute meeting with Singh, Rao and Joint Action Committee convener Prof Kodhandaram said they were not satisfied with the Prime Minister's response when he sought "some more time" to decide on the issue. 

KCR, along with Telangana Joint Action Committee convener Prof. K. Kodhandaram, told journalists that the delegation which met Dr. Singh was not satisfied with his response and there was no positive development at the meeting.

He said: “The Prime Minister asked us to call off the agitation. We told him it is not in our hands. People are very angry in Telangana and they have even decided not to celebrate festivals. People are dying every day for the cause of Telangana.”

"The Prime Minister asked us to call off the agitation. We told him it is not in our hands. People are very angry in Telangana and they have even decided not to celebrate festivals. People are dying everyday for the cause of Telangana," he told reporters after his meeting. 

Rao said the delegation, that had members from his TRS party and also the JAC, told the Prime Minister that an "expedited" solution to the vexed issue should be found immediately. 

"I may go on a fast-unto-death... the date, venue and time would be decided by the Joint Action Committee," he said when asked whether he would again go on a fast. 

Rao's 9-day fast in December 2009 had forced the Centre to announce initiation of process for formation of Telangana state. But, later it said the situation had "altered" and emphasised the need for "further consultation". 

"He was telling us that he understands the demand, the sentiments and aspirations of the people. But he did not give any assurance to us. He told us that a process is underway and consultations are on and said that will take some more time," he said. 

Meanwhile, the CPI has rejected the government's decision to hold “further consultations.” Its general secretary A.B. Bardhan said after TRS leader K. Chandrasekhar Rao called on him that the party would soon write to Dr. Singh.

“There is no need to consult the national parties as all parties, except the Congress, have taken a stand on the [Telangana] demand,” he said.