Kodandaram flays Kiran, Babu for changing tack

Hyderabad: Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy’s veiled attack on Congress high command over Telangana decision evoked a strong reaction from Telangana JAC. Terming Kiran Reddy’s stand as opportunistic one, T JAC chief Prof Kodandaram called upon the Chief Minister to step down from his post and wage a direct fight if he was peeved over with party decision. Speaking at a public meeting organised by CPI (ML New Democracy) (Chandranna group) at Sundarayya Vignana Kendram on Friday afternoon, he was highly critical of the Chief Minister for his volte face on Telangana issue.

“During Telangana agitation, he had said that the ball was in Centre’s court and any decision taken by them would be strictly abided by the State Congress party. He reiterated his view many times even on the floor of Assembly. However, the Chief Minister changed his stand and doing all he could to stall Telangana process, at present,” rued Kodandaram. The T JAC chief advised Kiran Reddy to clearing doubts and apprehensions, if any, in the minds of public in the wake of demerger decision.

Although the Chief Minister has been repeatedly saying that many problems would arise out of division of State, he had not made any sincere effort to list out those concerns, the Professor said. Even the main opposition leader N Chandrababu Naidu is treading the same path, lamented Kodandaram and urged the Seemandhra public to rise to the occasion, and come forward for discussions with Telangana brethren on all issues arising out of division of the State.

Leaders demanded immediate tabling of Telangana Bill in the parliament. Govardhan spoke about the left party journey in the Telangana movement. Although party was not supportive to statehood demand, our stand changed in 2007 when the issue was discussed in detail within the party. A resolution in favor of Telangana was adopted in 2008 and the party has been participating actively in Telangana movement from August 9, 2009, he added.

S Jeevan Kumar, president of Human Rights Forum explained about the evils of Polavaram project and how it would affect lakhs of tribals even wiping out hundreds of villages and a majority of forest land. The Human Rights leader called upon the Telangana community to oppose the controversial project, tooth and nail.

Meanwhile T JAC co-chairman Mallepalli Lakshmaiah opined that Kiran Kumar Reddy had lost moral right to function as the Chief Minister of the state. He is still in the chair only due to inability of the Congress party. Lakshmaiah appealed to the Seemandhra community to list out their concerns, which could be solved through discussions.