Congress ex-ministers want T strike to continue

Former Minister Jupally Krishna Rao on Wednesday alleged that Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy was implementing the eighth chapter of the Srikrishna Committee report.

Addressing a media conference, Jupally said that it was due to the general strike of the Telangana employees, which entered 30th day on Wednesday, the Centre has initiated the consultation process to resolve the issue. Even the Congress Core Committee has discussed the issue. "When the Centre is about to come out with a solution, the Chief Minister is trying to end the strike," he said while raising doubts about Kiran Kumar Reddy's intention.

Referring to a statement made by some Congress MLAs asking the employees' JAC to withdraw the strike, the former minister asked those MLAs to resigns from their posts and take up them agitation themselves. He said the employees were forced to join the strike as the political leaders have failed to take up a strong agitation. He said if all the elected representatives across the party lines resign and join the Telangana agitation, then the employees would end their strike.

Praising the striking employees, Jupally said all Telangana employees have been participating in the agitation, giving many sacrifices, not for any selfish motives, but seeking statehood for Telangana. He said the leaders should take inspiration from these employees.

Former Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy condemned the booking of cases against Employees JAC leaders Swamy Goud and Vittal and TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao. He accused the State Government of trying to suppress the agitation by foisting false cases against the leaders. He alleged that the government was trying to incite violence by harassing the Telangana leaders by misusing police force.

Referring to the statements made by Seemandhra leaders including Devineni Uma,  TG Venkatesh and P Keshava who openly warned of violence in case of State's bifurcation, Venkat Reddy said that the police did not register suo-moto cases against them. "Why the Chief Minister did not disqualify TG Venkatesh from the cabinet when he threatened to form a private army to stop formation of Telangana?" he asked.

Meanwhile, Jupally Krishna Rao announced that he would resign afresh from the assembly membership. Earlier, his resignation was rejected by Speaker Nadendla Manohar. He said he would launch massive protest if his resignation gets rejected again.

Congress MLAs Ch Lingaiah, S Satyanarayana and Dr T Rajaiah were also present.