Vayalar Must Take Back "Dosa" Remark: TRS

The orientation programme on Standing Committees for legislators was marred by protests by pro-Telangana leaders.

Telangana Rashtra Samithi MLA T Harish Rao disrupted the proceedings of the orientation programme at Lahari Resorts while Union Minister Oscar Fernandez was delivering his speech. Harish Rao was critical of the statement made by Union Minister Vayilar Ravi wherein he stated that the formation of a Telangana state was not as easy as making a dosa. He said that Ravi's statement was an insult to the four crore people of the Telangana region.

Harish Rao described Vayalar Ravi's statement as 'sarcastic', and said that the union minister had made similar statements in the past over the statehood issue. Demanding that Ravi withdraw his remarks, the TRS MLA said that hundreds of youth have committed suicide following the indecisive stand of the Centre on Telangana.

Replying to the objection raised by MLC Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy for raising the Telangana issue during the orientation programme, Harish Rao said that the TRS party has the sole agenda of the formation of Telangana, and that it would continue to raise the statehood issue in all forums.

Meanwhile, Oscar Fernandez intervened and pacified the agitating TRS leaders.

It may be mentioned that Nagarkurnool MLA Dr Nagam Janardhan Reddy and TRS MLA E Ravinder Reddy raised the Telangana issue when Punjab Governor Shivaraj Patil was delivering the inaugural address on "Role and Functions of Standing Committees" at Old Assembly Hall on Monday. (INN)