Nagam Lashes Out At TDP Cadre

Lashing out at the popular demand of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) members that disciplinary action be initiated against him, Telangana TDP leader Nagam Janardhan Reddy on Tuesday condemned the attitude of the party.

He questioned if raising the slogan of "Jai Telangana" and voicing out the public's popular demand for a separate state was a crime. He sought to know why rallying for the Telangana statehood was being labelled as an 'anti-party agenda'.

Nagam pointed out that the TDP had released media statements regarding the Telangana issue in 2008, and that the issue was listed in its 2009 manifesto.

He also went on to say that he had submitted a memorandum to the party, wherein he had written in detail about the 1st States Reorganisation Commission (SRC), and about the alleged injustice meted out to the people of the region, in terms of water supply, land distribution and employment opportunities.

He asked the party members to read the memorandum in order to educate themselves regarding the problems plaguing Telangana.

He also criticised those who were linking him with other political leaders and parties - a list that includes Y S Jaganmohan Reddy and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"I have self-esteem. I am not the sort to have breakfast with one party, have lunch with another and dine with yet another," said Nagam.

He reiterated that the conduction of the Telangara Nagara in Nagarkurnool was what brought the focus of all involved on Telangana, and that the TDP, too, had started discussing the issue only after the Nagara began.

The Telangana leader stated that it was not right to levy incorrect charges against all those fighting for the cause of the statehood in earnest, and demanded that the purpose of the Telangana TDP Forum be explained.