TG holds out threat to quit Cong if Centre agrees to T

• Says integrationists will get ready with action programme
• Dubs reports on Statehood as 'rumour'
• Smaller States will give rise to Maoist activity
• Challenges KCR to take a pledge on 'T' agitation commitment

Tirumala: Minor Irrigation Minister T G Venkatesh threatened on Tuesday that he would consider leaving the party, as part of the future course of action, if the Centre gave advance information to the integrationists on its proposed action on the Telangana statehood issue. Talking to press persons, after having the Lord's 'darshan', he said the integrationists would get ready with an action programme, with people's support, after the Centre conveyed the information. The minister claimed that there was no truth in reports on the Centre's move to carve out a separate State. He described them as 'rumours'; even AICC general secretary in-charge of Andhra Pradesh Digvijay Singh had not said so in clear terms. Venkatesh asserted that the Congress high command was not inclined to divide the State; if it was forced, the State should be split into four parts, coastal (two States), Telangana and Rayalaseema. He pointed out formation of Telangana would give rise to separatist tendencies elsewhere in the country. Many States would have to be created posing a threat to national unity. The minister expressed confidence that Telangana won't be conceded, as smaller States would give rise to increased Maoist activity, citing the example of problems being faced by Chattisgarh and Jharkhand. He dropped a bombshell by stating that the integrationists would have no problems if Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) president K Chandrasekhar Rao was arrested for 'inciting' the people of the region. 'The State will be safe', he quipped. He accused KCR of giving in to the Maoists and charged the Centre with adapting a passive attitude in this regard. Venkatesh challenged KCR to take a pledge before the family deity of Lord Venkateswara that he was committed to the separatist agitation and that the family had no other vested interests.