Tirupati, December 31: Former APSRTC chairman Gone Prakash Rao today said the ongoing Telangana agitation was not severe compared to the 1969 movement.
Talking to newsmen at the Press Club, he alleged that CWC member and veteran Congress leader G Venkataswamy and TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao were using the present Telangana movement for their selfish interests.
Using the Telangana issue, both the leaders had brought their kith and kin into political limelight. Everyone should be aware of the real political motives of the two leaders. When the Telangana movement was at its peak in 1969, Venkataswamy let down it for his own political gains, he said.
Finding fault with Venkataswamy for criticising former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, Rao said Kaka described YSR as Bhagiratha for initiating Jalayagnam when he was alive. After YSR’s death, he accused the former chief minister of coming in the way of his presidential dream.
Without sparing K Jana Reddy, he said everyone was aware of the fact that the Congress leader would sing Telangana song whenever he was not given a Cabinet berth. Describing himself as a Telanganite, Rao said there was no wrong in demanding Samaikyandhra.
Condemning the TRS attacks on RTC buses and public properties, he said the agitation for a separate Telangana State should be peaceful and non-violent.
–Agencies