Hyderabad, February 20: For several years former Maoist State secretary Sambasivudu alias Konapuram Ilaiah never believed in the Indian Constitution.
But one year after his arrest and spending time in jail, Sambasivudu is a changed man now. He is all set to fight for separate Telangana within the parameters of the `Constitution.’ Sambasivudu, who surrendered to the State Government in February last year, is facing charges in three murder cases, after the court acquitted him in a fourth one. He has been granted bail in the three reamining cases pertaining to murder of former Panchayat Raj Minister A Madhava Reddy, Makthal MLA Chittem Narsireddy and Atmakur sub-inspector Sakir Hussain. He was released on bail from Cherlapally central prison this morning.
Speaking to mediapersons after his release, Sambasivudu announced his plans to join the separate Telangana movement.
Clarifying that he will not join any political party, Sambasivudu stated that he will work in affiliation with the Joint Action Committee of all political parties and people’s organisations for separate State. “Telangana is a longstanding wish of the people of the region and it should be implemented without any delay. The Government should introduce a bill in the Parliament on Telangana State immediately,’’ he said.
The former Naxalite stated that Telangana agitation is no more a political agitation but a people’s movement. He brushed aside the allegations that once Telangana is formed it will be ruled by Maoists.
He pointed out that none of the newly-formed states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Uttaranchal were ruled by Maoists as claimed by several political parties. He urged the Telangana people to put aside their differences and fight in unison.
Sambasivudu opposed Justice Sri Krishna Commission stating that the Commission was formed only to delay the formation of Telangana State. He said several Commissions have been appointed in the past and their reports favouring Telangana were shelved. He also condemned the lathicharge on students on Osmania University campus and demanded the public representatives to act as per the wishes of the people.
—Agencies