TJAC To Conduct 36-Hr Deeksha: Kodandaram

Telangana Joint Action Comittee, headed by Prof. M Kodandaram, is conducting a mouna deeksha at Gun Park today, a silent protest against the Samaikyandhra meeting being convened at Ministers' Quarters, and to bear down on the Centre to stick to its deadline of 28 January for the announcement of statehood for Telangana.

This is a part of the samara deeksha programme that Kondandaram has planned for the next 36 hours.

Said Kondandaram, in reply to reporters' queries of his feelings on the Samaikyandhra meeting, "It is their business if they want to conduct meetings or protests or whatever. No matter what they do, Telangana will be a reality. It is entirely up to them to set the tone for the parting. We want it to happen in an amicable manner. We are entirely against violence of any kind. However, if they leave us with no other option, we are ready for anything."

Speaking the ruling Congress, Telugu Desam and YSR Congress parties, Kodandaram said, "You say Telangana at one time, Samaikyandhra at another, Telangana when people want it, no Telangana when the movement loses momentum, Telangana when elections are close by, and forget about it at all other times - all of these are signs of political opportunism. We feel ashamed to say that these are our leaders. "

"For the well-being of people, political unity is necessary. All political leaders banded together to drive the British away from our nation. Why can't our politicians do the same?" Kondandaram demanded to know.

Meanwhile, TRS has also announced a statewide hunger strike to support the Telangana cause.