Byreddy launches fast
T-leaders suspect TD chief’s hand behind deeksha
Stirring up a controversy, Telugu Desam leader Byreddy Rajasekhar Reddy launched his four-day ‘ Rayalaseema Melukolupu' deeksha on Saturday in Kurnool, demanding a separate Rayalaseema if Telangana is carved out as a state.
“Either the state should be united or trifurcated,” he said.
Mr Reddy’s deeksha comes close on the heels of the Centre’s decision to provide special status to six backward districts in Karnataka bordering the Telangana region, and speculation about an imminent decision on statehood for Telangana.
Quick to condemn the deeksha, Congress and TRS leaders from Telangana region alleged that it was scripted and masterminded by TD chief N. Chandrababu Naidu derail the T-process.
Mr Reddy, who launched the deeksha after performing milk abhisekham to the statue of Sri Krishna Devaraya at Kurnool, remarked, “We are not opposed to Telangana. Let them have their own state. (But) why should they oppose Rayalaseema, which is the most back-
to ward region in the state and worse than Somalia?”
Denying allegations that his party chief was behind the deeksha, he said the people of Rayalaseema have to protect themselves if Telangana is separated from AP. “If the Centre decides to bifurcate AP, Rayalaseema should also be made a separate state. Those who talk about
If the Centre decides to bifurcate AP, Rayalaseema should also be made a separate state. Those who talk about Rayala-Telangana are maniacs