Telangana Congress leaders on Sunday renewed their threat to go on an indefinite hunger strike if the Centre fails to announce an early decision on Telangana statehood.
Talking to media persons after the meeting of the Telangana Congress Steering Committee held at his residence, Rajya Sabha MP K Keshava Rao demanded that the Centre make an official announcement on the creation of a Telangana state soon. Unlike the statement of Union Home Minister P Chidambaram made on 9 December 2009, the Centre must make a clear statement that will put an end to the Telangana statehood issue, he said, adding that no confusion must be left after the announcement.
In the meeting, he said that the Telangana Congress leaders have decided to observe an indefinite hunger fast if the Centre fails to announce an early decision on the Telangana state. He said that leaders from region want the consultation process completed in a time-bound period, and a consensus on the Telangana issue as well.
Recalling Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee's statement that consultations would end on Monday, he hoped that the High command would complete talks with UPA allies and other national leaders soon. He also said that he would not hold any dialogue with TDP Telangana Forum members over observing the hunger fast.
Condemning the police for
arresting Telangana Political Joint action Committee chairman M Kodandaram in Singareni Collieries, he said that the government cannot suppress the agitation through "coercive methods" and by resorting to "illegal arrests". (INN)