TDP removed from Telangana joint panel

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) formed to spearhead the agitation for a separate Telangana, has removed Telugu Desam Party (TDP) from the body, saying it had gone against the committee's cause.

The attack on Telangana lawyers demanding resignation of TDP leaders and failure of TDP MLAs and MPs to resign from their post in line with the decision of the JAC has led to the removal of Chandrababu Naidu's party, JAC convenor C Kodandaram said.

The ties between TDP and JAC had reached a flash point following an alleged attack on Telangana lawyers who interrupted Naidu's speech at a rally organised by the party here recently.

The JAC constituents including TRS and people's organisations have been sore with TDP leaders for not resigning from their posts as decided by the committee earlier.

With TDP's expulsion, JAC is now left with only TRS and some small organisations as the ruling Congress has already walked out of the committee.

BJP has been staying away from the activities of the JAC for a long time.

The TDP leaders had also alleged that the JAC has been acting at the behest of TRS.

The JAC meeting was attended by TRS president K Chandrasekhara Rao and leaders of people's organisations.