By IANS
Hyderabad : The movement for a separate state of Telangana is gathering momentum with senior leaders of Andhra Pradesh’s ruling Congress party leaving for New Delhi Sunday to urge party president Sonia Gandhi to take a clear stand on the issue.
Led by former union minister and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member G. Venkatswamy, the group will call on Gandi Monday to demand that the party make an announcement in favour of a separate state.
Another senior leader U. Purshottam Reddy, chairman of the Telangana Development Board, Saturday reiterated that he would quit the post if the party leadership refused to accept their demand.
“I have not gone back on what I said earlier. I am carrying my resignation in my pocket. I will not hesitate even for a minute to resign,” he told a meeting of students at the Osmania University here.
The students had disrupted his speech, demanding that he submit his resignation.
Venkatswamy said they would bring to Gandhi’s notice strong public sentiments in favour of separate Telangana. “We will request her to take a decision on the issue,” he said.
Reiterating his allegation that Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy was a hurdle in the formation of a separate state, Venkatswamy urged him to back their demand. “If the chief minister agrees, separate Telangana state can be formed tomorrow,” he said.
The chief minister will also leave for Delhi Sunday to meet Gandhi and other central leaders. The central leadership is expected to seek his views on the issue before the party president’s meeting with Telangana leaders.
All India Congress Committee secretary and party MP Madhu Yashki told students to unite for a joint struggle for a separate Telangana. He warned the opponents of Telangana from insulting the region and its people.
His warning came amid bitter criticism by the leaders from other regions and the chief minister’s close aides in Telangana on the group led by Venkatswamy.
The demand for separate statehood to Telangana, comprising 10 districts including Hyderabad, is more than four decades old.