TRS Chief rules out merger with Congress

The Telangana Rastra Samithi on Monday categorically ruled out any merger with Congress.

K.Chandrasekhar Rao, TRS Supremo stated that his party has decided against any merger as they felt that Congress did not consult it on the modalities and provisions during the passage of the Telangana Bill for the creation of the separate State, a long pending demand.

Following an intense debate at a broad-based meeting of its politburo and senior leaders from his party, Rao announced that the Congress failed to address their concerns including issues like special status for Telangana.

He said more than Seemandhra it is Telangana which deserves special status as eight districts are backward as per Planning Commission.

Earlier, two TDP MLAs Nagesh from Boath constituency and Satyavathi Rathod from Dornakal constituency (both of the opposition TDP), announced their decision to join TRS along with their supporters. The TRS leader Rao stepped out of the ongoing meeting and greeted them and welcomed them into the party fold.

He said that Telangana needs strong leadership to ensure that its concerns are effectively addressed to ensure its all round development.

He said issues relating to water resources and power sector need to be addressed effectively to ensure that the region gets better.

Within the TRS party circles, members are opposed to any alliance with the Congress as they believe that their cause gets diluted and they might lose their identity in a large party.

Many of them are also opposed to any such alliance with Congress as they feel that the party is on the wane.