HYDERABAD: Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief K Chandrasekhara Rao ended his 11-day-long fast-unto-death following the announcement by Union Home Minister P Chidambaram that the Centre would commence the process for creation of a separate State of Telangana. Soon after Chidambaram’s announcement, Rao, whose deteriorating health forced the Union Government to act swiftly, was offered fruit juice by TRS ideologue Prof Jayashankar and other intellectuals.
‘‘Today’s move by the Centre is a result of a five-decade-long movement. I thank the students and all other sections who have supported the agitation. I also urge the UPA government to begin the process for creation of a T State as early as possible,’’ a weeping Rao said, speaking to reporters at the NIMS. He broke down while recalling the sacrifices made by the people of the region. He also thanked Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi and LK Advani. ‘‘I am thanking all of them on behalf of four crore Telangana people,’’ he said and in the same breath, condemned the police for harassing students. In fact, preparation for the TRS chief’s withdrawal of hunger strike began this evening after indications emanated from Delhi that the Congress was moving towards a favourable response to the long-pending demand of the TRS, which attracted nation-wide attention following the fast launched by Rao on Nov 29.
The Union Home Minister’s announcement was welcomed with beating of drums, bursting of crackers and celebratory rallies by students of the Osmania and Kakatiya Universities who have faced the fury of the police over the past couple of weeks. However, it is not clear as to when the ruling Congress would move the resolution in the State Assembly urging the Centre to create a State of Telangana.
Barring the MIM, almost all parties in the State have already announced that they would support such a resolution if and when moved by the Congress.
But, it could still be a long drawn process as various issues need to be sorted out. All the same, adopting a resolution, as KCR’s son KT Rama Rao declared, would be the first step.
Health Minister Danam Nagender, who virtually threatened Telangana protagonists that he would not allow them to walk on the streets of Hyderabad, was a mellowed man after learning about the Centre’s decision. ‘‘We will abide by whatever the high command decides. In fact, I am also a Telangana ‘bidda’, he declared!