Six legislators launch relay fast for time-frame for Telangana

Six legislators from Telangana, belonging to various parties, launched a relay hunger-strike here today demanding that the Centre announce a clear time- frame for granting statehood to the region in Andhra Pradesh.

TDP MLAs S Venugopalachari, L Ramana, TRS MLA Kopuula Eeswar, Congress MLA R Damodar Reddy, PRP MLA A Maheshwar Reddy and MLC Mohan Reddy sat on a fast at Indira Park under the aegis of the Political Joint Action Committee.

The JAC set a January 28 deadline for the Centre to come out with a specific time-frame on formation of the state of Telangana. It also renewed its appeal to all legislators from the region to quit their posts to exert pressure on the Centre on the statehood issue.

TDP politburo member Nagam Janardhan Reddy said all the 39 MLAs of his party were firm on their resignations and demanded that all the 13 ministers hailing from the region too should quit their posts immediately.

Congress MLA R Damodar Reddy said posts were immaterial for them. "Rather, Telangana is important for us. Our only agenda is Telangana for which we have all set our personal agendas aside."

TRS leader E Rajender, JAC convenor Kodandaram and other leaders spoke on the occasion.