AP leaders who kept Telangana in news

When the Congress Working Committee announced Telangana as India's new state on July 30, it wasn't done without expectations of political consequences. Some Congress leaders revolted while the Telangana Rashtra Samiti revelled in the Telangana glory. Whether it is pro or anti-Telangana, some key players have kept the issue alive for decades.

It was Telangana Rashtra Samiti chief K Chandrasekhar Rao or KCR, who breathed life into the Telangana movement in 2010 after the death of Y S Rajasekhara's death in 2009. Rao launched a hunger strike to press for a separate state which prompted then home minister P Chidambaram to announce on Dec 9, 2009, the Centre's plans to initiate the Telangana process.

After July 30, there were speculations that the Congress would merge with TRS to gain political mileage in the Telangana region in the wake of the general election 2014.

But Rao remained silent on the merger part and managed to keep the Congress in constant dilemma. That partly prompted the latter to mull over moves like Rayala Telangana-- adding two new districts Anantapur and Kurnool to Telangana-- to grab TRS' attention, only to withdraw it later.

Civil liberties activist M. Kodandaram was relatively unknown when he was appointed the Telangana Joint Action Committee convener in 2009. Known as a troubleshooter, Kodandaram is said to be advising K Chandrasekhar Rao on Telangana. Being a part of the Telangana movement, Kodandaram was a key influencer on the government.

Telanganga was approved after deacades of dilly-dallying. Congress supremo Sonia Gandhi is said to be the main force behind it as she wanted to complete the new state's process before the general elections. Union minister S Jaipal Reddy was a vociferous campaigner for Telangana. He went to the extent of drawing the wrath of the Congress high command for talking in favour of Telangana.

Congress Rajya Sabha member V Hanumantha Rao is said to be instrumental in persuading the Congress about the significance of Telangana.

Deputy CM C Damodar Raja Narasimha, who represented Telangana in Congress Core Committee meet, was instrumental in influencing the Congress amid the demand for united Andhra. He took on the united AP brigade led by CM Kiran Kumar Reddy and sent a 11-page report to the Congress high command which is supposed to have a powerful impact.

Among those who have been leading the anti-Telangana brigade is a defiant Andhra Pradesh chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy. He took on his own Congress party and tried in vain to convince them to withdraw the Telangana decision. "Telangana state will never be a reality" was Kiran's signature remark.

Kiran, a supporter of united Andhra Pradesh, continued as the CM, but never lost a chance to condemn the Congress move, thereby drawing the ire of the party high command. Nothing could deter him. Amid rumours that the party high command was looking for his replacement, he hinted at his new party plans to consolidate his support in coastal Andhra.

Jagan Mohan Reddy's YSR Congress was the first party that openly expressed its support for the united Andhra. Jagan, who has staunch followers in coastal Andhra, kept the pressure on the Centre through his rallies and hunger strikes.

Jagan staged hunger stikes when he was in jail and also after his release on bail. Both the times he had to end it forcefully because of his failing health. Jagan, who has a strong hold in Rayalaseema, relentlessly continued his efforts, even after the Telangana Bill was ready.

Not just Reddy, his sister Sharmila and his mother Vijayalakshmi too worked hard to annul the Telangana decision. Sharmila took out a ... day yatra which was a record in he political history while Vijayalakshmi staged hunger strikes.