Telangana Political Joint Action Committee (TPJAC) Convenor Kodandaram on Thursday said that the people from the other 2 regions in Andhra Pradesh - coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema - need not return after a separate Telangana is formed.
Prof. Kodandaram said that the demand for a separate Telangana state does not mean cleansing the region of Seemandhra people, but having the right to make decisions for oneself, and to break the dominance of 'capitalists'.
The TPJAC convenor said that the slogan coined in the earlier struggle for Telangana 'Andhra Go Back' was not correct and should not have been taken up by the then leaders.
Speaking to a gathering after inaugurating a hunger-fast site launched by people of Seemandhra regions in support of the separate Telangana demand, Prof. Kodandaram said that there will be no pressure on the people of Andhra and Rayalaseema regions to leave.
Prof. Kodandaram added that the separate statehood protagonists are only opposed to the domination of the 'capitalists' who are exploiting the natural resources of Telangana for their selfish ends. He added that the future government of Telangana state would be duty-bound to protect and support people who originate from other places.
The TPJAC convenor also added that it was only a few capitalists who were opposed to the bifurcation of the state and the common man across Andhra Pradesh was in favour of a separate Telangana. He said that some 'politicians with vested interests' were coming in the way of Telangana state formation to protect their businesses and properties.
Prof. Kodandaram added that the TPJAC was always in favour of dialogue and would welcome any Seemandhra leader who would come forward to discuss their problems.