Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao Saturday demanded the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government dismiss Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy and impose President's rule to carve out separate Telangana state.
KCR, as Rao is popularly known, said the chief minister should be dismissed for challenging the decision of the Congress leadership and for belittling Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh.
Addressing the TRS workers, KCR said the chief minister had uttered white lies while questioning the Congress decision to bifurcate the state. He claimed that Kiran Reddy admitted that the water and jobs of Telangana people were snatched by Seemandhra.
Kiran Reddy came under flak both from Telangana leaders of Congress party and other parties for his remarks questioning the decision to bifurcate the state. A section of ruling party leaders from Telangana demanded the central leadership to act firmly against him for defiance.
Deputy Chief Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha described Kiran Reddy as 'sealed cover' chief minister.
"He became chief minister through some manipulation in Delhi. He is sealed cover chief minister. He was not elected by MLAs (legislators). What difference it makes if he continues or quit," he said reacting to Kiran Reddy's remark that he is ready to sacrifice the post for the sake of united Andhra.
Rajanarasimha breathed fire against the chief minister and wanted to know if he was not in Congress party when it promised separate Telangana state in 2004 elections.
He also reminded Kiran Reddy that on many occasions he promised to abide by the decision of the Congress leadership.
Senior leaders and MPs V. Hanumantha Rao and P. Goverdhan Reddy called on Digvijaya Singh in Delhi to demand action against Kiran Reddy.
Panchayat Raj Minister K. Jana Reddy termed the chief minister's remarks as unfortunate. He said it was unbecoming of a chief minister to speak for people of one particular region of the state.
Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC) convenor M. Kodandaram said even thousand Kiran Reddy can't stop formation of Telangana state. "People of Telangana know how to achieve their own state," he said.
Meanwhile, Congress leaders from Seemandhra backed the chief minister. Minister for Primary Education S. Sailajanth said the chief minister spoke the truth and voices the genuine concerns of people of Seemandhra.
