HYDERABAD: Outgoing Rajya Sabha member K Keshava Rao, who was deeply disappointed over the party not renominating him to the upper house, said his frequent demands for Telangana state might have cost him dearly.He, however, said he was not angry with the party leadership and he believed that Telangana state was possible only under Congress dispensation. "I will continue to fight for Telangana whether I am in the Rajya Sabha or outside," he said.Sources say Keshava Rao was keen that he should be renominated and pinned hopes on Telangana sentiment to help him become Rajya Sabha member for another term. What seems to have gone against him was precisely his vocal support for Telangana cause.When Rajya Sabha elections were nearing, the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) has sent feelers that it might field Keshava Rao as an independent if the party did not field him for a second term, by taking support from parties or MLAs keen on embarrassing Congress. But the Congress disqualified the rebel MLAs in Jagan Mohan Reddy's camp to avoid any surprises.According to sources, Congress leaders hold that each time Keshava Rao spoke on Telangana issue, it only helped TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao gain strength. Also, the party disapproves of his frequent parleys with KCR and the 'friendship' that developed between the two during the height of the Telangana movement.Congress MPs from Telangana wanted him back in the Rajya Sabha since they felt sidelining him would send wrong signals to the people of Telangana. At one stage, they even got an indication that Keshava Rao was being given another term. But finally it did not happen. One leader said, "By refusing to renominate Keshava Rao, the party leadership has sent a message to everyone that it will not buckle under pressure."
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