TJAC no to new policy on states

Telangana Joint action Committee (TJAC) convener Prof. M. Kodandaram took a strong objection to the calls for “formulation of new national policy on new states and division of existing states” by some leaders in their petitions submitted to Srikrishna Committee.

The bus yatra taken up by the TJAC arrived here on Sunday. A huge motorcycle rally was taken out on the occasion from Rukmapur to Choppadandi. Addressing a gathering after garlanding Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s statue, Prof. Kodandaram stated that there were already relevant provisions in the Constitution facilitating the formation of new states in Indian Union. He criticised demands for revision of Article 3 of the Constitution that lays down the provisions for carving of new states in the country. Prof. Kodandaram said every section and region which lags behind is entitled to demand its share in development in a democratic set up.

“We are demanding separate state as we were deprived of legitimate share in the development. Not only because of backwardness, but also for the control on our own resources we are agitating of the separate state,” he said and called upon the people to counter the arguments put up by Andhra leaders in favour of status quo.

Opposing submission of reports by Congress and Telugu Desam leaders both in favour and against the bifurcation of the state, he said that it is the responsibility of the two main parties to submit a single report to Srikrishna panel after arriving at a consensus on the issue.

Former MLA Gujjula Ramachandra Reddy and other leaders took part in the programme.

In Adilabad, Prof. Kodandaram demanded that the state government announce compensation to the crops dried up due to drought conditions in the Telangana region and accused the state government of being “indifferent” to the plight of farmers in Telangana region.

Addressing road side gatherings, Prof. Kodandaram called upon the people from all walks of life to join the Telangana movement to strengthen it. The second phase bus yatra by TJAC entered the district on Sunday evening from Karimnagar. The yatra will culminate in public meeting in Kagaznagar on April 12.

Hundreds of Telanganites welcomed him at Gudem village in Dandepalli mandal on district border on his entry into the district.

TRS MLAs who resigned from their posts — K. Sammaiah of Sirpur (T), G. Aravind Reddy of Mancherial and N. Odelu of Chennur — are actively taking part in the yatra.