By IANS,
Hyderabad: Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad’s remarks on Telangana have evoked sharp reaction from pro-Telangana leaders cutting across party lines.
Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC) and leaders of Congress and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) from the region condemned Azad’s remark that separate statehood to the region was not possible without consensus.
TRS leader in Andhra Pradesh assembly E. Rajender asked the Congress party not to test the patience of Telangana people and warned that it alone would be responsible for any consequences of dragging the issue.
Another TRS leader and former MP Vinod said Azad’s statement showed that Congress was not sincere towards Telangana. He said it would become clear after Oct 17 where the Congress party stands on the issue.
He told reporters that Congress conveyed to TRS that it would take a decision on Telangana after expansion of union cabinet.
“We know how to achieve our goal state,” remarked JAC leader M. Kodandaram while condemning Azad’s statement made in Hyderabad Friday.
He wondered how long the central government would seek views of parties on the issue. “Our demand is simple. Implement the announcement made by then home minister (P.) Chidambaram on formation of Telangana state,” he said.
Congress MP from Telangana Ponnam Prabhakar also criticized Azad for his remarks. He said if the central government failed to implement its announcement of Dec 9, 2009, the parliamentary system would lose its credibility.