As the agitation in Andhra- Rayalaseema regions against bifurcation grows intense, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy tonight issued a veiled warning to Congress, saying people will "declare a holiday" on a party or a government if their wishes were not heeded.
Reddy also said he was "ready to act according to the wishes of Telugu people" and would not shy away from taking a decision that the people wanted.
"We will definitely come forward with a decision that the people are wishing for," Kiran said, hinting of his possible resignation in the event of the Centre going ahead with the creation of Telangana state.
The statement, made at a function to mark the official language day, assumes significance as the agitation in Andhra-Rayalaseema regions against the bifurcation is growing, and there is a demand that elected representatives from these regions should quit their posts to put pressure on the Centre.
The Chief Minister observed that a (political) party was important than an individual or those in the government. "Any party remains in power on the people's mandate. The party or the government should always work for the welfare of people," he added.
"In a democracy, people are the ultimate decision-makers, not any party or government. Any party or government can't take decisions against the people's will. If they do so, people will declare a holiday (on such parties and governments). That is the beauty of democracy and parties and governments should realise that," he said, in what is being interpreted as a warning to the Congress high command as well as the UPA government over the bifurcation move.
