I had no freedom on T push: Nagam challenges Forum

Reacting to the claims that he had been given complete freedom by the party to push forward the separate statehood issue, senior Telugu Desam Party from Telangana Nagam Janardhan Reddy on Wednesday challenged the Telugu Desam Telangana Forum members to a discussion on the claims.

Talking to media persons at Telugu Desam Legislature Party Office, Mr Janardhan Reddy rubbished the statements made by the Forum members that TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu had given him ‘total’ freedom over the Telangana statehood issue.

“Their claims are hollow. I was not given ‘total’ freedom to take any decision Telangana. On the contrary, I was restricted from taking any decisions on the issue,” Mr Janardhan Reddy stated.

He also described the Telangana Ranabheri being organised by the Telangana Forum members in Karimnagar district as a ‘United Seemandhra Ranaberi’. “The Ranabheri is being organised under the aegis of Seemandhra leaders,” the senior MLA stated.

Cautioning the party leaders to be careful, Mr Janardhan Reddy stated that they were not taking any steps for strengthening the party in the Telangana region. “Contrasted to Telangana, the party leaders are making all out efforts to strengthen it in Seemandhra region,” he stated.

Mr Janardhan Reddy then turned his attention to the Centre, accusing it and the state governments of trying to ‘water down’ the Telangana statehood agitation by following the recommendations of Justice Srikrishna Committee mentioned in its eighth chapter.

“Though the Seemandhra leaders have the numbers, the Telangana leaders have support of people,” Mr Janardhan Reddy stated.

“I am ready to submit my resignation from my post for the sake of Telangana. But before taking any decision on my resignation, I will discuss it with my constituency people,” he added.

“I will also attend the forthcoming Mahanadu, the party’s annual conclave, at Gandipet if I am not suspended by the party. I will raise the separate Telangana issue at the Mahanadu,” Mr Janardhan Reddy vowed.

He also advised Mr Naidu to discuss Telangana issue in Mahanadu to be held from May 27.

The senior leader also appealed to the Congress leaders from Telangana to be aware of tricks being adopted by the Centre with the aim of ‘cheating’ the people of Telangana once again.

Reiterating that he had not indulged in any ‘anti-Naidu and anti-party activities,’ Mr Janardhan Reddy asked the TDP chief to stand by the Telangana resolution adopted in 2008. “Mr Naidu must write a letter to Union Home Minister P Chidambaram stating that he has no objection over the formation of separate T state,” the TDP MLA stated.

Mr Janardhan Reddy also lashed out at Warangal MLA Revanth Reddy for carrying guns to Telangana Ranabheri. ”Why he is taking guns to the Ranabheri? Does he want to threaten the people with guns? The people will not believe him anymore,” he stated.