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'We are now closer to our goal -- Telangana state'
The resignations of Telangana Rashtra Samiti founder K Chandrasekara Rao and party leader Vijayashanthi has made matters worse for the Congress government in Andhra Pradesh.
The TRS, which has always claimed to have spearhead the movement for the formation of a separate Telangana state, has been watching the developments that have unfolded in the last couple of days.
TRS general secretary Subash Reddy, in an interview with rediff.com's Vicky Nanjappa, elaborates on his party's plans in the days to come.
How is the movement looking like now?
Earlier, unity was an issue among all those fighting for this cause. Today, we are closer to that goal and all of us are united.
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'KCR and Vijayashanthi resigned only to put pressure'
Speaking of unity, there are some Congress MLAs who are yet to resign. Does that look like unity to you?
They will come around for sure. They will have no option but to resign. The people will ensure that they resign. If at all they want to salvage their political careers then they have to step down.
Why is that only KCR and Vijayashanthi have resigned? What about the rest of the TRS MLAs?
The people of Telangana did not want the MLAs to resign. They had done so six months back and have come back with the people's mandate.
All through we had been saying that the movement would only have some sort of impact once those in power step down. See how it has turned once they did that.
KCR and Vijayashanthi resigned only to put pressure on the Congress MLAs and MPs.
'Give us Telangana or impose President's rule'
We did not want anyone raising a finger at us, stating that we are clinging on to our seats while expecting the others to resign. Mark my words, the MLAs in our party are all set to quit. They will do so in a second.
When will that 'second' happen?
We want to wait and see what happens at New Delhi. Either they give us Telangana or they should impose President's rule. As on today nearly 33 per cent of the assembly is missing with these resignations.
If the Centre does not yield, then all our MLAs will resign thus taking the number up to 42 per cent. Then the government will have no moral right to continue in power and will have to step down.
'Public had started to doubt Cong, TDP MLAs' intentions'
What is your reading of the public over the latest development?
Frankly speaking the public wanted to put pressure on the MLAs who had been playing a double game. For these Congress and TDP MLAs it was necessary that they resigned, as the public had started to doubt their intentions.
KCR too realised this and hence had warned the Congress MLAs that they fates in politics could be sealed if they continued to play around with the sentiments of the public.
How sure are you that these Congress MLAs will not go back on their word and agree to some other compromise formula other than the formation of a separate state?
Chandrababu Naidu must declare his stance
They (Congress and TDP MLAs) will be cheating each and everyone if they go back on their word. Not to mention what would happen to their political careers.
What about the TDP?
We will trust the intentions of the TDP only once Chandrababu Naidu openly declares his support for Telangana.
Is the TRS already thinking of an election?
No not at all. We want Telangana first or this government to step down. We are sure that we will win the elections if this government falls.
'If Congress creates Telangana, TRS will back it in polls'
You are thinking of political benefits already. Am I right?
No we are not. The people want us back.
If the Congress declares the formation of a separate state, then the TRS will support it.
The Congress will lose in Rayalaseema-Andhra due to Jagan. Their only hope will be Telangana and if they want to hold on to it then they have to declare a separate state.
If the Congress back tracks this time on the issue then their party would be reduced to nothing like in Bihar.