The all-party Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC), spearheading the agitation for a separate Telangana state, today decided to continue its protests even as the Centre announced a five-member committee on the issue.
"We will continue our agitation as planned earlier. We would like to know the terms of reference of the committee before giving our reaction. The JAC would meet after the terms of reference of the committee are announced," JAC Convener C Kodandaram told reporters.
He, however, acknowledged there is some movement on the part of the Centre towards taking a decision on the issue.
"There is some movement in the government towards announcing a decision. There is some impact of the deadline we have put. Meetings and discussions are taking place. Whether the decision is positive for us or not, that we can say only after the government announces its decision," he said.
Asked about reports that justice B N Srikrishna, chairman of the committee formed by the Centre, was known to be against the creation of smaller states, Kodandaram said the JAC would not doubt the integrity and competence of the members of the panel.
"We do not doubt the integrity and competence of the committee members. Moreover, terms of reference are more important than individuals," he said.
Leaders of all parties from Telangana region said they would like to know the terms of reference of the committee before coming out with a response.
