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Telangana leaders won't be satisfied by change of AP CM

October 18, 2012 20:20 IST
The meeting between Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday has raised curiosity levels in the Telangana region. Shinde and Pranab discussed the Telangana issue and though it was expected that a road map for a separate Telangana would be chalked out, sources tell rediff.com that there was talk about a change of guard in Andhra Pradesh.  

Leaders from Telangana say that there was no positive outcome of the meet as far as the statehood issue was concerned. They said that according to insiders an attempt was being made to replace Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy with a leader from Telangana.    

The leaders in New Delhi feel that there is a chance of the Telangana issue erupting once again after November and hence some action needs to be taken to prevent that.

The Telangana Joint Action Committee has declared November 1 (Andhra Pradesh formation day) as a black day. They have decided to boycott all programmes
and launch an agitation with black flags. A massive march has also been planned, which will pave the way for a more intense movement.

The Union government however hopes to maintain calm in the region and feels that a change in guard would help. However, the JAC has rejected this move and says it is hardly a solution.

Madhu Yashki Goud, Congress MP from the Telangana region also echoed the JAC's views. "There has to be a proper announcement and the people of Telangana will not be happy with a change of chief minister."   

"The government is treading on a very dangerous path. They keep saying that there is no consensus to grant Telangana statehood. It is conveying a wrong message. The people of Telangana feel that the government is ready to hand over Telangana, but it is the people of Andhra and Rayalaseema who are opposing it. This could lead to a civil war and the situation could go out of hand," warned Goud.

The JAC however feels that no solution on Telangana is expected soon.
Vicky Nanjappa