T MLAs, MPs not to quit

Under pressure from the high command, Congress MLAs, MLCs and MPs from Telangana have decided to not to submit their resignations.

The decision is set to change the course of the Telangana agitation as the students and other political parties are insisting on resignations of elected representatives to force a constitutional crisis in the State.

“We will not be party to a constitutional crisis in the State or at the Centre,” said said Mr G. Vivek, MP. “It is the Congress party which can give a separate State.”

The joint action committee initially gave a call to all the elected representatives, from sarpanches to cabinet ministers, to submit resignations so that Centre would accept the demand for separate state.

But the Congress high command told its MLAs, MLCs and MPs not to yield to pressure from other parties. “Why should we put pressure on our leadership when they are ready to give the Telangana State,” said Mr K. Rajagopala Reddy, Bhongir MP.

MPs Mr M. Jagannadham, Mr Gutta Sukender Reddy, Mr G. Vivek, Mr K. Rajagopal Reddy, Mr Ponnam Prabhakar and Mr Madhu Yashki Goud have confirmed that they would not resign to their posts.

The TD had earlier announced that they would follow the Congress representatives in this matter.

With Congress and TD opting not to resign, the agitation would limit to students who are also in dilemma whether to continue with it or not.

Meanwhile, the Samaikya Andhra activist and former minister, Mr J.C. Diwakar Reddy, invited Telangana Congress leaders to his residence to reduce the growing animosity over the Telangana issue.

However, the Telangana MLCs were not impressed. “What is there to discuss?” asked Mr Amos. “He wants to talk about Samaikya Andhra when we are seeking Telangana.”