Guntur, August 02: The protagonists of United Andhra Pradesh are watching the unfolding scenario in the wake of resounding victory for Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) in the recent byelection. They appear to be waiting for the first move of the Congress before they could move in. For the moment, they are dismissing the outcome of the elections as a matter of no consequence and not a factor that could dent united Andhra movement.
“The TRS has won the seats which it had vacated. What is great about it?” asks Guntur MP Rayapati Sambasiva Rao. He thinks there is no need for fear that the bypoll result will hasten the Congress to take a decision in favour of Telangana state. “There is no reason for panic,” he says.
Samaikya Andhra Joint Action Committee (JAC) convenor N Samuel says the outcome of elections in 12 segments cannot be considered a barometer for people’s opinion on the bifurcation issue in all the 294 constituencies in the State.
Meanwhile, Rayalaseema Hakkula Ikya Vedika has decided to take no further initiative in the movement for either Samaikya Andhra or aligning Rayalaseema with Telangana. It wants to leave the decision to the Srikrishna panel. Vedika leader TG Venkatesh said he was distressed over Telangana Rashtra Samiti leaders influencing students into committing suicide. Former minister JC Diwakar Reddy attributed TRS’ victory in by elections to overwhelming sentiment in favour of Telangana state. He said if Rayalaseema MLAs too resigned demanding separate state for themselves with Anantpur as capital, they too would win huge margins.
–Agencies