YSRCP honorary president YS Vijayalakshmi began her indefinite hunger strike in Guntur on Monday protesting “the manner in which the Centre is handling division of the state.” The tone and tenor of her speech, however, left none in doubt as to where the party stands. A comparison between a speech she had delivered on November 22, 2012 at Pullur crossroads in Mahbubnagar district and her latest message clearly shows where its heart really lies — Samaikyandhra
November 22, 2012
Before I address you, let me pay tributes to all those youngmen from Telangana who have sacrificed their lives for the cause of statehood. Though my husband (late YSR) was from Rayalaseema, he was never against Telangana or any other region. It was his personal belief that the State should remain united but as leader of the Congress Legislature Party, he had led a delegation of Telangana MLAs to Delhi to make the case for a Telangana state. My son, Jagan Mohan Reddy, too was never against a Telangana State. Under Article 3 of the Constitution, only the Centre is empowered to take a decision on such matters which is what we have said at the plenary of the party held at Idupulapaya. In fact, we have been telling the Centre that it should take a decision without dragging its feet as “it is the strong desire of the people of the region that they should be given a separate State.” When TRS legislators resigned, we did not even contest the bypolls, respecting the T sentiment. All that we are saying is that if division is inevitable, justice should be done to all. (A Youtube link to this speech was removed just two days ago).
August 19, 2013
Even the people of Telangana were not expecting statehood when the Centre suddenly announced the decision ahead of elections for political gains. The late YSR, while remaining within the Congress, fought tooth and nail to keep the State united. Should not the Centre discuss whether this decision will do good to Telangana people as well, forget about the harm to people of other regions in Andhra Pradesh? Over the past one year, my son, Jagan Mohan Reddy, though in prison, was never as worried as he is now about the implications of division. Ever since the decision came, he has been spending sleepless nights, worrying about what fate would befall all of you. In fact, he wanted to go on a fast in prison but I told him I will do it on his behalf. The Centre is behaving like a father who gives away everything he has to one son while asking the other to fend for himself. How will people of Seemandhra get jobs, water, education and who will take care of their interests in Hyderabad? On what parameters has Delhi taken this decision? It is only after answering all the questions that division process should move forward.