No role of TRS in Telangana formation: Azad

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Thursday criticised the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) for taking the credit for the formation of Telangana, and claimed that TRS had no role in the creation of the state.

Speaking to media here, the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said, "TRS is taking ownership for being responsible for granting the statehood to the Telangana state. I have to clarify that TRS had no role in the formation of Telangana state. Legislators and MPs of the Congress party from Telangana and the Congress organisation from Telangana is wholly and solely responsible for the formation of Telangana. On the recommendation of the Congress Working Committee at the national level, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and under the leadership of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh we made the law. We didn't make it a law on the recommendation of TRS."

He also attacked the TRS on the issue of Muslim reservation and termed it as a gimmick to fool people. Azad said, "TRS knew that 12 per cent reservation will not be allowed by the court. Previously also court dismissed the then Congress government attempt in Andhra Pradesh to provide 5 per cent reservation to Muslims. TRS very well knew that if court has dismissed the Congress attempt of 5 per cent reservation, it will certainly not allow 12 per cent reservation. With this tactic, they are fooling people by promising 12 per cent reservation.