Hyderabad: In a do-or-die battle for separate statehood to the Telangana region, Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) president K Chandrasekhara Rao has decided to go on a fast-unto-death from November 29.
The Mahabubnagar MP has vowed a fight to the finish by sitting on a fast-unto-death from 1100 hrs IST near the Martyrs Memorial at Siddipet in Medak district, about 100 km from Hyderabad.
KCR, as the TRS chief is popularly known, has warned both the Central and state governments that they would be responsible for the consequences.
TRS would not be held responsible for any eventuality, incidents of violence, bloodshed or any development, he said at a press conference late Monday. "It is now or never. Be prepared for either my funeral procession or a victory rally," was his message to the people of Telangana.
KCR said he took the decision as the government failed to solve the problems of Telangana. "We now feel that all problems can be solved only in a separate state of Telangana."
Before launching the fast, the TRS chief would conduct a rath yatra in Telangana districts to create awareness among the people on the need for a separate state and to highlight the land grabbing by realtors from Andhra region.
KCR, who has already given a slogan of 'Telangana wale jago, Andhra wale bhago' (Arise people of Telengana, run away people of Andhra), alleged that people from Andhra had grabbed both government and assigned (lands allotted to weaker sections) in Telangana.
KCR's announcement was criticised by both the ruling Congress party and the main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which alleged that he was trying to create a wedge between people of different regions.
A citizen has also filed public interest litigation in the Andhra Pradesh High Court seeking a ban on KCR's fast. The petitioner fears that the move could trigger violence against people from other regions.
KCR floated the TRS in 2001 to revive the three-decade old movement for separate statehood to the Telangana region, which comprises 10 districts including Hyderabad.
The sub-regional party could win only nine seats in 294-member assembly and two Lok Sabha seats in the recent elections. Its other MP and former actress Vijayshanti has distanced from the party following differences with KCR.
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