HYDERABAD: Revolutionary singer Gadar, who caused a flutter in political parties with the announcement on Saturday that he would launch his own party to fight for a separate state of Telangana is clear in his objective: Telangana cannot be given. It has to be taken. The Centre has to be forced to introduce a bill in Parliament carving out a separate state. Amidst the hurly-burly of launching a new party, the singer took time off to speak to Express about the policies of his Telangana People’s Front. Excerpts:
Q. Why this decision to launch your own party now?
A. This was not a sudden decision. We consulted people in all Telangana districts. All sections of society expressed an opinion that intensifying the agitation is the only way to achieve a separate Telangana state. We thus decided that a nonpolitical outfit should be formed and we decided to name it the Telangana Praja Front (TPF). The TPF will have its first meeting on Oct. 9 in Hyderabad to declare its organisational structure. We have plans to hold a meeting of Telangana cultural activists in the city on Dec. 9. We will declare our future course of action in that meeting.
Q. The Centre made a statement on Dec. 9 last year promising steps towards Telangana.Then it set up the Srikrishna Committee.Why have you kept silent till now?
A. After the Dec. 9 statement the agitation continued.
The result was the appointment of the Srikrishna Committee. But then came the byelections forced by the TRS and BJP in Telangana.
We think this is the time to put pressure on the Centre to introduce a bill in Parliament to bifurcate the state.
Q. Will the people prefer to support your front rather than the other parties?
A. Let’s see. The people would have to decide. We have made our agenda clear. We want Telangana.
The agitation is meant to force people’s representatives to introduce a bill in Parliament.
Q. What kind of programmes are you planning to take up?
A. We will concentrate on protecting the resources of our region and the day-to-day problems of the people. But the final goal would be to secure a separate state.
Q. Do you have any differences with the TRS?
A. Yes, we do. The TRS believes that the electoral process is the only way to secure a separate state but the past decade has proved the TRS wrong.. The party won the Karimnagar Lok Sabha seat by a 2 lakh majority and yet the Centre did not deliver Telangana. When the TRS chief went on an indefinite hunger strike, it led to agitations which forced the Centre to make the Dec. 9 statement. This issue should not be linked to elections because the government will always take advantage of it and avoid paying attention to the demand for a separate state. Only a massive movement will deliver Telangana. Given its 10 years’ experience, the TRS leadership ought to know how to build pressure on the Centre.
Q. The TRS and a section of the BJP argue that TDP chief Chandrababau Naidu is the only hurdle to Telangana.
A. I am unable to understand why the TRS and the TDS are indulging in a war of words. The TDP is not in a position deliver Telangana. The Congress alone can deliver it. The BJP is ready to support the Telangana bill in Parliament.
Where is the TDP’s role in it? If anyone opposes Telangana, the people will decide their fate. The central government should spell out its stand on the issue in Parliament.
Q. The TRS has alleged that TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu prevented the Telangana state.
A. The Centre has assured the people of the region that it will start the process for a Telangana state. We go by the statement and demand introduction of a bill in Parliament. This is not a time for squabbles since it gives the Centre an opportunity to defer a decision on the Telangana issue.
Q. Is the TDP ready support your movement?
A. I’m not sure whether they will support our movement. But I am sure leaders of all parties want to be a part of this movement. Keeping away from it is nothing but keeping away from the people.
Q. Do you believe that the BJP will support the bill if it is introduced in Parliament?
A. Yes. Their future depends on Telangana. They will become a strong force in the region. Don’t forget one thing. In Nizamabad, even Muslims voted for their candidate in the recent byelections.
That was because they all want Telangana.
Q. Are you ready to share a dais with the BJP in Telangana?
A. Why not? If they come forward to take part in people’s programmes. I performed at the Srirama temple in Bhadrachalam and I have met BJP leader L K Advani on the Telangana issue.